After seemingly all of the rest of the top NBA free agents came off the board on Sunday night, the basketball world continues to wait on Kawhi Leonard, who is mulling whether to sign with the Raptors, Lakers, or Clippers. Here’s the latest on Kawhi:
- Leonard has completed his meetings with the Lakers and Clippers, and is meeting with the Raptors today, a league source tells Jordan Schultz of ESPN (Twitter link).
- Team officials for the Lakers and Clippers “appear determined” to say as little as possible about the process to avoid upsetting Leonard or his reps, since Kawhi’s camp has “insisted on total silence,” tweets Marc Stein of The New York Times.
- Despite that apparent insistence on silence, much of the Leonard-related chatter this week has focused on the Lakers. Stein tweets that the Lakers believe they’re “firmly in the lead” for the Finals MVP based on LeBron James‘ and Magic Johnson‘s recruiting efforts. An earlier report suggested that no frontrunner has emerged.
- The Raptors haven’t backed off at all in their efforts to re-sign Leonard, according to Stein, who tweets that rapper – and Raptors global ambassador – Drake may be “mounting his own recruiting campaign” outside of Toronto’s formal pitch.
- The general belief throughout free agency has been that Danny Green will wait on Leonard’s announcement before making his own free agency decision. However, Green’s podcast co-host Harrison D. Sanford said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas today that Green is “considering not waiting” on Kawhi (Twitter link via Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News). Green and his agent are scheduled to discuss things tonight, Sanford added. The Mavericks, Raptors, Lakers, and Clippers are believed to have interest in the veteran sharpshooter.
Kawhi comes across as a strange guy. Wants people to show him how much they want him. Just resign with raptors and get it over with, we got a roster to build.
I read that as a guy who is taking his time (as is his right) and being thoughtful. Were I to be in the same position, I’d ask the same courtesy from teams. Just be as quiet as possible and let me decide in peace. There is nothing strange about wanting to decide in relative privacy and as little speculation as possible.
Though with that being said: I want to see him go back to Toronto just to see how pissed and salty the Laker fans will be.
Hahahahahah hater on deck
Show us on the Drake doll where the Lakers touched you.
Perfect
Fun guy*
The player – especially in the NBA – now has all the power. As it should be. As a bitter, BITTER SA fan, I’m no fan of the way KL conducts his business, but I do very much enjoy that the players are in much more control of their future compared to 5-10 years ago.
If the best basketball player on the planet says to get me you better STFU, you STFU.
Come back to Toronto Kawhi. The only place that makes actual real sense.
Agreed. Toronto is the place for him.
Actual real sense? Good one. I mean Toronto makes more sense than the Clippers but the Lakers present the best opportunity. Wait and see.
I mean the guy has wanted to be a laker all of his life so yeah I mean he may do a one year deal so he can get a bigger pay day next year but I think he is going to lake show.
I disagree with the Lakers presenting the best opportunity. The Lakers have NO depth. Toronto is full of star role players, and young players on their way to super-stardom like Siakam is. Not to mention playing for an entire country, etc. AD is injury prone as heck, and has never won ANYTHING in his 7 years in NO. One playoff series? For a seemingly great player? AND injury prone on top of that. Overrated. LeBron is the GOAT, but hes entering his age 35 season and everyone, even the best, break down eventually. Lakers are FAR from the best opportunity, arguably a worse opportunity than the Clippers present.
Star role players? That’s an oxymoron. LA has actual star players, and will fill out the rest of the roster just fine.
Kyle Lowry multiple time all star. Marc Gasol, HOFer and still at an all star level. Siakam all star. So yeah, star role.pkayers. Lakers have actual stars? AD, whose always hurt, and has won NOTHING in his 7 years in the league. And a 35 year old LeBron. Cool. Raptors still way better than the Lakers, and it’s not close.
I agree with MG as HOF. Really do like way Lowry plays. Siakam is skfillfut but a bit overrated; Van Vleep (Sp?) seemed to be the difference maker. And oh yeah, for the record:
MJ1; CAJ2; LBR3
Lol
Lebron is not the Goat. He’s the 3oat.
Also, Toronto is the only place he can really load manage. Lakers don’t have the depth and AD will miss some time with injury inevitably, and Clippers lack fire power and may miss the playoffs if Kawhi sits too many games. Raptors are the REAL opportunity here for Kawhi. Everything happens for a reason, like Klaw getting traded to Toronto and winning a chip. I think he realizes that and stays.
Like many of you I am putting my life on hold waiting until Kawhi signs.
to me it is obvious if he reached out to lakers and magic that he was already leaning that way and for the fact that he has not just came out said he was re upping with TOR that means he is gone. so if the team up does happen and they can all stay healthy WHICH I mean all 3 of them just missed a bunch of games this year it… they could be the greatest team ever I mean I wonder if they will go for single season win record.
I feel like he knows where he’s going. What can the Raptors pitch him on? He knew whah they have to offer. I think staying makes the most sense and that’s coming from a Lakers fan as much is I want him. Going to the Clippers to me makes no sense. To me it makes more sense going to the Lakers but I think ultimately makes the most sense staying in Toronto. Just hearing he has a meeting and then plan on pitching him makes no sense. Then took good care of him and I feel that means a lot to him. But from the Lakers stand point I think he could get a lot rest there too with LeBron and Ad being there and he wouldn’t have to carry a team which seemed exhausting in the playoffs for him. Curious to see who he chooses. I feel like he’s staying on a one year deal or two year deal and the. Doing what he wants and being able to make more from 10 years of league services. Something tells me he knows where he’s going and taking a meeting sir Toronto today is more of a respect thing wether he stays or leaves. I’d imagine they’d know first what he’s going out of respect to them. The guy seems like someone who wouldn’t leave anyone hanging and would tell them as soon as is ready to tell others and not let them hear it by social media or ESPN. Guys so hard to read though lol
I think the meeting is going to be to tell TOR that he is out and to thank them.
Lakers fan here as well just a couple of years ago he was offered a maximum contract right after San Antonio won the title and he told them to shove it. Seems to me he really wants to go back to California it would take a really over-the-top presentation by Toronto to change his mind.
We all knew this was going to take a while…he is not the sharpest tool in the box…but he is great at basketball and even better at extorting basketball teams.
After hearing all the buzz of Leonard possibly signing with the Lakers obviously all the Laker haters are at their local church is praying for divine intervention.
I hope he signs soon so I can get back to work and the rest of my life.
I believe he’s known where he’s going since the first day of training camp last year. Toronto was a place holder, albeit he didn’t probably think a title was a possibility it happened. Everyone knows the date and time of FAgency. Kawhi is a silent premadonna just like Lefraud. I really believe he’s already signed with the Clips or the Lakers.
Like anybody cares where Danny Green goes?
Ya. He’s an excellent 3 and D guy and a proven champion. He can play anywhere he wants to.
seriously, I know. anybody can tell you that you only need 2-3 superstars and you can add any trash players around them.
I’m not even sure why anyone else gets paid above the minimum. /sarcasm
As a Heat fan, hope this guy goes to the Clippers. One less good team in the East and disappointed Lakers fans would make me happy.
The LA teams requested the meetings. Raps then asked to meet with him afterward. He accommodated all 3 teams, although – yeah – it was on his schedule, not theirs. Both LA teams in one day (they each wanted an entire day). Maybe he didn’t want to hear their insufferable BS for an entire day over his weekend. That makes him a prima donna?
Guess he should have refused meetings like Durant. Then he’d be cool.
Don’t disappoint the whole nation! I have suspended my Lakers fanship till mebron leaves.
Why wouldn’t you wanna play along side the King and AD, making no sense to play any where else
Nobody as good as KL wants to play with LeBron any longer. Aging superstars invariably become drama queens as they battle Father Time, obsessed with their own legacy. Rarely make good teammates. LeBron’s been a superstar among superstars, and fittingly has become a drama queen among drama queens. If he picks the Lakers, it’s due to AD. A guy his age that can continue a legacy after LeBron departs.
Sign and trade with the Warriors. At this point it wouldn’t be a shock. Kawhi for DLo.
It would be a shock because the Warriors can’t trade D Lo until December 15th
They can rework the deal before Saturday. But it would be a shock.
Please go back to Toronto on a 1-year deal with an option for a second year; defend the title just won. Lebron and the Lakers do not deserve a super team; say thanks, but no thanks!
Why do the Lakers not deserve a superteam? Could it be you are a Lakers hater or just a LeBron hater? That’s the answer I am going with and most likely the correct one. Honestly people like you should not be fans you don’t care what is best for the player just to stick it to a team very pathetic
I get a real kick out of the Lakers haters they are saying “Lakers don’t deserve a superteam“ or “LeBron does not deserve Leonard”. But, I am yet to hear anyone logically come up with a reason why the Lakers would not be a good fit for Leonard. The reason why? There is no logical explanation the guy grew up in California has always wanted to play in California the same guy could’ve went to any college and chose the college San Diego State in the same city he grew up in. But if they do not get Leonard here is the hard truth the Lakers with LeBron and Anthony Davis are going to be a very good team if they get Leonard they will be a great team. This is something Lakers haters need to except either way they will be on this site all year cursing the Lakers get used to it.
I think the Lakers can blow it by blabbing. He’s making his decision in the current time frame and will be sensitive to mistakes made in the next couple days. Lakers gotta SHUT UP.
Message not necessarily intended for goldenmisfit & the HR Laker crew.
For what it’s worth, the idea that Kawhi is taking forever with his decision or going through this process abnormally might be influenced by recency bias — Kevin Durant and other top FAs made quick decisions this year and LeBron did the same last year, but in the past, many top free agents have taken meetings and taken their time.
Gordon Hayward didn’t pick his team until July 4 in 2017. Durant did the same in 2016. I believe LeBron took until something like July 10 in 2014 to announce his return to the Cavs.
It’s still only July 2 for Kawhi!
He’s getting assurance that LbJ is leaving after 2 more seasons (he has an opt-out after 3 years) and it’ll be his (Kawhi’s) show from there on out with his dream team at home.
He’ll be a Laker.
I think you meant AD’s show!!!
Lol ok! I’m hearing Kawhi to the Clippers now. I’m done guessing.
I believe that it would be reasonable for Kawhi to sign a 2-year contract with Toronto (is it possible to make year-2 a “player option”?). He gets his money plus a chance to win 1 more title for the Raptors or win a regular season MVP award. He will still be in his prime after 2 years, Lebron would be on the decline, then Kawhi can finally sign with the Lakers for a max money contract for 4-years or 5-years and he wouldn’t be playing in the shadow of Lebron by that time.