Other than LeDecision out of Cleveland, it’s been the biggest story of the NBA off-season: just where will want-away San Antonio Spur Kawhi Leonard end up?
It seems now we have our answer, as San Antonio have agreed with the Toronto Raptors to trade Leonard for DeMar DeRozan. There are more details to come, including other players being included in the trade.
Leonard’s deal expires at the end of next season where he has told the Spurs and anyone else who would listen that he’s headed to the Lakers to play alongside LeBron James.
Four-time All Star DeRozan re-signed a new five-year deal in 2016 and has formed a lethal combination with Kyle Lowry at the Raptors in recent years.
The Raptors have been one of the Eastern Conference’s standout teams through the regular season, before being annually dispensed with by LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals.
They topped the East this season and even saw coach Dwane Casey win the coach of the year gong, before going out in straight sets to LeBron and the Cavs.
NBA man in the know Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal on Twitter shortly before midnight Sydney time.
Despite Leonard indicating he’s off to LA, the Raptors must be confident that they’ll be able to charm the former finals MVP.
Toronto have a history of struggling to attract top talent and have never made the conference finals, although they will be buoyed by Paul George’s recent decision to forego a big contract at the Lakers and re-sign with the small market Oklahoma City Thunder to play alongside Russell Westbrook.
The inside word was that Leonard wasn’t particularly excited about heading over the border.
As for DeRozan, he had recently stated he wanted to stay in Canada for the long term, with team officials consistently re-iterating that he was not on the trading block.
In a midnight post on Instagram before the trade became public knowledge, DeRozan seemed to criticise the franchise. He stated “Be told one thing & the outcome another. Can’t trust em. Ain’t no loyalty in this game. Sell you out quick for a little bit of nothing…Soon you’ll understand.”
Stay tuned to The Roar for more updates as they continue to trickle through.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Smart stuff by the Spurs. Is Kawaii carries on like a two bob watch in Toronto he just makes them look good and puts massive doubt in any Lakers move. On the flip side if Kawaii wants to really make it look like the Spurs were 100% at fault last year then he dominates and really helps Toronto. Looking at the trade though, for me Spurs have completed highway robbery. (Assume Kawaii is one year wonder in Toronto)
Swampy
Guest
Hey maybe the raptors win the title (chuckle) & he re-signs... It's now the only place he can sign a superman contract. I love the move by the spurs though, kawhi on the wire suggested he was not interested in going to Toronto. So they sent him there. For the Raptors all-time favourite player. If Kawhi acts up, is injured, doesn't play or plays below his capabilities that crazy fan base will punish him. Maybe there is another trade on the way.
mushi
Roar Guru
Well played Spurs.
Jerry
Guest
Still a bad trade, what are their chances of retaining Leonard? If he wasn't willing to stick around in San Antonio - one of the best environments in basketball - why would he want to stay in Toronto? Maybe they can trade him to the Lakers mid season?
FrozenNorth
Guest
I live in Toronto, tbh i wanted him traded when Paul George made him look like a chump in a playoff series 3 or 4 years ago. Best to make a change, he's soft, really, really soft and he is number 3 guy, not the go-to number 1 guy.
Jett Hatton
Roar Pro
Really bad trade for the raptors, he is outta there next year