Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard filed a federal lawsuit against Nike on Monday, claiming he designed the logo that appeared on his Nike apparel and the company copyrighted the logo without his consent, Matthew Kish of the PDX Biz Journal reports.
In a separate development that could foretell his summer plans, Leonard apparently bought property in his current NBA city, according to Michael Landsberg of TSN (hat tip to Dan Feldman of NBC Sports). Landsberg said in a radio interview that “What we’ve heard is that he’s purchased a property in Toronto,” and that “we’ve heard this now from two different sources.” That could be an indication that Leonard, who will opt out and become a free agent this summer, plans to stick with the Raptors.
We have more news from the Atlantic Division:
- The Raptors will hold their fourth pre-draft workout on Tuesday, according to Blake Murphy of The Athletic (Twitter link). The list includes guards Jalen Adams (UConn) Australian William McDowell-White, Kyle Allman (Cal State Fullerton) and Jared Harper (Auburn) and forwards Dedric Lawson (Kansas) and Dean Wade (Kansas State).
- Nets guard D’Angelo Russell expects that he’ll have to be patient in free agency, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports. Russell will be a restricted free agent. “It’s more of just the waiting game as far as chess moves have to be made,” Russell told Lewis. “There’s a lot of big fish out there that have to find their destinations so I think I’ll [fall in line after that]. There are a lot of fish out there that need to find destinations. So whenever that time comes then I have decisions to make on my own, I think I’ll be well ready for it.”
- Knicks assistant coach Howard Eisley is expected to join Michigan’s staff under former Heat assistant Juwan Howard, Brendan Quinn of The Athletic tweets.
I would think hard of bringing Russell back to Brooklyn. No guarantee they’ll sign Irving and if they do I think they can both co-exist and take turns working off the ball.
Holy mackerel, talk about big fish. I think the Raps are reeling one in.
Kawhi, or more specifically his uncle (or Drake) needs to come down off their high-horse for a minute. And all ya’ll complaining about LaVar Ball.
I don’t understand your rant. Can you explain? No shade intended.
You only buy property for one reason. What about the real estate guy who promised him a penthouse if he stays????? Another rumor.
He may just really like the people and Toronto area in general.
Be a great place to chill in the off season.
A really great real estate investment opportunity may have presented itself.
Granted, these are rather dull reasons vs resigning.