Kawhi Leonard Now Favored to Sign with Raptors After Leading Toronto to NBA Finals
- Odds now peg the Raptors as the favorites to sign Kawhi Leonard
- Leonard has powered Toronto to its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history
- What is the best bet to make on the unrestricted free agent?
As if things couldn’t get any better for Toronto Raptors fans.
Runnin’ through the 6 with my woes. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/zfW40uXwtY
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 26, 2019
A city still euphoric after watching their team lock in its first-ever Finals’ berth, the odds at online sportsbooks have turned North, now picking the Raps as the favorites to re-sign Kawhi Leonard – an about face from one round ago, when the Clippers were the chalk.
Which NBA Team Will Sign Kawhi Leonard?
| Team | 2018-19 Record | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto Raptors | 58-24 | -110 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 48-34 | +110 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 37-45 | +200 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 42-40 | +400 |
| New York Knicks | 17-65 | +500 |
| The Field | N/A | +300 |
Odds taken 05/27/19.
Toronto will be the historic site for the first-ever NBA Finals to be played on international soil. Can they have their cake (winning the ‘chip) and eat it too (keep Kawhi long-term)?
Leonard’s Play Puts Him in Rare Air
There are dozens of Leonard stats to fawn over this postseason, but Raptor fans are most blessed to witness his cyborg-like will to win.
My bad — 3.4 APG for Kawhi.
This is a pretty fun list though: 12+ playoff games, 27 PPG, 8 RPG, 50% FG, 25+ PER (all forwards) pic.twitter.com/F45yyremGT
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 24, 2019
The 2014 Finals MVP has displayed every facet of his game in the playoffs: he scored a career playoff-high 45 in a Game 1 win against the 76ers. He doled out a career-best nine dimes in an epic Game 5 road win against the Bucks. He logged 53 minutes – on a hobbled wheel – in a double-OT, must-win Game 3 against the Bucks.
Man this Kawhi monster dunk on Giannis was Sick. #KawhiLeonard pic.twitter.com/tZI15Kgfwa
— Anthony Tilghman (@AnthonyTilghman) May 26, 2019
Leonard stole possessions and the Bucks’ spirit late in Game 6, part of a career-high 17 rebound performance – all while locking down and outplaying likely MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo across the series.
Giannis Points Per 100 by Defender (min. 100 matchups):
1. Kawhi Leonard … 15.9
2. Blake Griffin …….. 31.2
3. Marvin Williams .. 31.7
4. Pascal Siakam … 33.2
5. Noah Vonleh …… 36.3
6. Thad Young ……. 37.1
7. Al Horford ………. 40.6
8. Joel Embiid ……. 51.0— Kirk Goldsberry (@kirkgoldsberry) May 24, 2019
For good measure, he owns the only buzzer-beating shot in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history.
https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/1127749510271328258
Masai Ujiri rolled the dice, trading away an All-Star for a chance at a superstar. What he got was perhaps the best player on the planet – certainly the best in these playoffs.
The question becomes: is Leonard now endeared to this city and franchise – and his teammates, who have steadily stabilized their play behind his – or is he thinking can can turn any team he goes to into a contender?
Los Angeles Teams in the Running
Now that Kawhi has proven he is again a two-way destructive force, the Lakers and Clippers are attempting to bring him back to his California roots.
“From what I understand, [LeBron] has already begun the recruiting process. I’ve heard he has had contact with Kawhi Leonard. I’ve heard he’s had contact with Jimmy Butler.”
—@WindhorstESPN reporting on @PTI pic.twitter.com/2ppJjjL60h
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 24, 2019
While LeBron has reportedly started the recruiting process, the Clippers continue to offer Leonard a superstar-in-waiting infrastructure: a combination of young stars, veteran sidekicks, and the front office and resources to get him all the contending help he needs.
While Kawhi Leonard's sister thanks fans, someone chimes in "They know darn well he ain't gonna be there next year!" @MickstapeShow pic.twitter.com/sx6n1SLBLL
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) May 26, 2019
If you believe his family, this decision has already been made – and it’s not Toronto.
A LeBron-Kawhi frontcourt is terrifying, but the Lake Show is also a front-office mess. Thanks, Magic.
Crazy to think Kawhi Leonard could leave that wild scene and fan crazy place in Toronto to the Clippers and worst fan base in the league
— Fred J. Robledo 👨🏻💻 (@SGVNSports) May 26, 2019
The Clippers still offer Kawhi the closest thing to Toronto west, though no piece is as exciting as Pascal Siakim (yet), and their fan base will have to show a ton more to match what happened in Toronto Saturday night.
What’s the Best Bet to Make?
So many stars are moving across the NBA landscape looking for one thing: the chance to compete for titles for an extended period of time.
Kawhi has that now, in Toronto, with a dearth of young talent (Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Norm Powell, Siakim) and a competent basketball head honcho to keep this roster competitive throughout his prime.
Here’s hoping you jumped on earlier when Leonard’s odds of re-upping in Toronto made for a better payday, because I think he’s staying.
Pick: Toronto Raptors (-110)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
