The Raptors are going all-in on a second Kawhi Leonard stint.
When it first became known that the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard could be looking to end their seven-year partnership, the conversation became about what team would be willing to not only trade for him, but subsequently extend him.
Similar to what happened with James Harden, the Clippers were always going to have limited trade options for Leonard, since the teams willing to deal for him at this stage of his career were largely only going to be teams operating with an understanding that a multi-year agreement could soon be reached.
All of the reporting indicated that the Toronto Raptors and perhaps San Antonio Spurs were the only two teams Leonard would extend with if dealt there, ultimately making it Toronto who brought him back.
The trade obviously took multiple months to complete, as the NBA finished its investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention, but once Leonard was let off the hook with just a $700,000 fine and no impact to his contract, the two sides finalized the deal.
Now, shortly after, it is being reported that Leonard has agreed to a two-year extension worth $115 million to remain in Toronto. This does not come as a surprise, because as previously mentioned, this was the expectation all along for any team that traded for him — especially Toronto.
Even Leonard himself said he does not want to be a player that wears countless jerseys throughout the course of his NBA career, indicating that he would like to finish things in Toronto, where he delivered the franchise’s first championship in 2019.
Given Leonard’s injury history, this is a bit of a gamble for Toronto, but last year was a relatively healthy year for the two-time Finals MVP. If he can replicate that health and come anywhere close to the production he put up for the Clippers last season, Toronto will be among the very best teams in the Eastern Conference.
How this contract ages remains to be seen, but it is a worthy swing for a Raptors team that has consistently fallen short since Leonard departed in free agency seven years ago. Questions are already being asked if this is an overpay, but Leonard is coming off a career-high scoring year and fits perfectly with this Raptors group.
With the Eastern Conference up for grabs, the Raptors feel now is the time to go all in and pursue another title. Leonard will be at the face of that, as he and Scottie Barnes look to lead the way for this talented Raptors group.
