Kawhi Leonard Approaching Tenure With Raptors With Open Mind

[RealGM Wiretap]

San Antonio Express-News beat reporter Jabari Young has been one of the most plugged in reporters on Kawhi Leonard and he was asked if he believes the Toronto Raptors have a chance to re-sign him.

“Based off of me talking to people within his circle, they’re going to go into this thing with an open mind and give this thing every last opportunity to work," said Young on TSN. "And at the end of the day, if that’s the case, it would be great if he stays. Obviously, I think part of his mind, yes, let’s keep it real: I think he still feels like L.A. might be the destination, but the same time, he plans to go into this thing with an open mind, giving it every single shot in the world to make it work.”

Leonard contended he wanted to spend his entire career with the Spurs just a few months before he requested a trade.

Via Ben Rohrbach/Yahoo! Sports

[Dino353]

The Raptors certainly have a chance of keeping him. We have to see the Raptors’ future vision to understand what they are trying to build. Could you imagine a defensive tandem of Kawhi,OG, and Siakam. Siakam and OG are both still very young but their potential on both sides of the ball is unlimited.

With 3 defensive juggernauts like Siakam,Leonard, and OG you won’t need much else to compete in the East.

[canguy20m]

The Raptors certainly have a chance of keeping him. We have to see the Raptors’ future vision to understand what they are trying to build. Could you imagine a defensive tandem of Kawhi,OG, and Siakam. Siakam and OG are both still very young but their potential on both sides of the ball is unlimited.

With 3 defensive juggernauts like Siakam,Leonard, and OG you won’t need much else to compete in the East.

lowry is the same age as chris paul. he should be a part of the long term plans.

[jimmy keys]

The Raptors certainly have a chance of keeping him. We have to see the Raptors’ future vision to understand what they are trying to build. Could you imagine a defensive tandem of Kawhi,OG, and Siakam. Siakam and OG are both still very young but their potential on both sides of the ball is unlimited.

With 3 defensive juggernauts like Siakam,Leonard, and OG you won’t need much else to compete in the East.

OG & Siakam fit perfectly next to Kawhi. It's going to a fun year!

[ChokeFasncists]

Who cares what he thinks? What does the uncle think?

[madmaxmedia]

No matter how messily or publicly, Kawhi has finally completed the 5 Stage of Grief and is ready to continue his career.

[gp2015]

The Raptors certainly have a chance of keeping him. We have to see the Raptors’ future vision to understand what they are trying to build. Could you imagine a defensive tandem of Kawhi,OG, and Siakam. Siakam and OG are both still very young but their potential on both sides of the ball is unlimited.

With 3 defensive juggernauts like Siakam,Leonard, and OG you won’t need much else to compete in the East.

I wouldn't say that Siakam and OG's potential on the offensive side of the ball is unlimited from what I've seen of them so far. Both their offensive games are pretty limited right now with what they can do. They will need to add a lot more skills to their offensive game. Neither of them really have a consistent jump shop right now. OG can hit the outside shot with some consistency but was very hot and cold throughout the year. Siakam's outside shot was pretty bad last season. I don't think a lot of players/coaches in the league respect his shot right now.

I would say that the potential is there but they have a lot of work to do.

[Pickled Prunes]

Who cares what he thinks? What does the uncle think?

Who even cares what his uncle thinks? Is he mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play? These are the only questions that matter. Clearly nobody knows what Kawhi is really thinking... and since he's human, I'm guessing he's a little confused about that himself.

[Bolts]

His mind about the Raptors may be open but my mind about Kawhi is now closed. I don't even like the Spurs but he is a loser who quit on his team. I wish him no success.

[Lalouie]

i think the lakers should worried because,,,,

1...tor is really going all out to make kawhi feel like he's wanted
2...derozan will have nothing but nice things to say about the city
3...kawhi inc wants to mend his image which has been battered. that failed apologetic letter is an example of that concern, and therefore i truly believe they want to keep an open mind

[bb22]

Lots of things can change over the course of the season.
There is more than a small chance that the Lakers put the breaks on pursuing Kawhi based on if/how their young guys develop and what Kawhi shows this season. And I'm sure KD and/or Klay might be more appealing to them.

The Clippers, on the other hand, are throwing the max at Kawhi no matter what.

[colaroaster]

quitting on your coach, teammates, fans and the game = mentally broke and fragile

[rocketsfan100]

Dude could be the face of Canada. Vince carter made a ton of cash for being known as air Canada. He could make just as much of not more money In Canada with marketing and other deals then he could make in la.

If he took the Raptors to the finals his brand would be humongous.

[TimRobbins]

He's going to LA, whether it's the Lakers or Clippers.

[Caese]

Dude could be the face of Canada. Vince carter made a ton of cash for being known as air Canada. He could make just as much of not more money In Canada with marketing and other deals then he could make in la.

If he took the Raptors to the finals his brand would be humongous.

The Klaw and the Raptors. It writes itself, really.

[ChokeFasncists]

Who cares what he thinks? What does the uncle think?

Who even cares what his uncle thinks? Is he mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play? These are the only questions that matter. Clearly nobody knows what Kawhi is really thinking... and since he's human, I'm guessing he's a little confused about that himself.

That's true in a normal situation, doesn't look like this is one of those.....

[Pickled Prunes]

Who cares what he thinks? What does the uncle think?

Who even cares what his uncle thinks? Is he mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play? These are the only questions that matter. Clearly nobody knows what Kawhi is really thinking... and since he's human, I'm guessing he's a little confused about that himself.

That's true in a normal situation, doesn't look like this is one of those.....

Sure, but my point was more that it doesn't even matter what Kawhi is thinking. If he isn't mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play than he may be picking up his player option next summer. Until then he is under contract. What his uncle thinks will start mattering when it starts mattering. Kawhi has something to prove first.

[ChokeFasncists]

Who even cares what his uncle thinks? Is he mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play? These are the only questions that matter. Clearly nobody knows what Kawhi is really thinking... and since he's human, I'm guessing he's a little confused about that himself.

That's true in a normal situation, doesn't look like this is one of those.....

Sure, but my point was more that it doesn't even matter what Kawhi is thinking. If he isn't mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play than he may be picking up his player option next summer. Until then he is under contract. What his uncle thinks will start mattering when it starts mattering. Kawhi has something to prove first.

Well, they did threaten to not play if traded to anywhere but LA/NYC/Philly......

[Pickled Prunes]

That's true in a normal situation, doesn't look like this is one of those.....

Sure, but my point was more that it doesn't even matter what Kawhi is thinking. If he isn't mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play than he may be picking up his player option next summer. Until then he is under contract. What his uncle thinks will start mattering when it starts mattering. Kawhi has something to prove first.

Well, they did threaten to not play if traded to anywhere but LA/NYC/Philly......

In which case he will need to take the qualifying offer. Who's going to give him a 4 year max without proof of life? And even if he is healthy, a player refusing to honor their contract is the biggest of red flags.

[ChokeFasncists]

Sure, but my point was more that it doesn't even matter what Kawhi is thinking. If he isn't mentally, physically and emotionally ready to play than he may be picking up his player option next summer. Until then he is under contract. What his uncle thinks will start mattering when it starts mattering. Kawhi has something to prove first.

Well, they did threaten to not play if traded to anywhere but LA/NYC/Philly......

In which case he will need to take the qualifying offer. Who's going to give him a 4 year max without proof of life? And even if he is healthy, a player refusing to honor their contract is the biggest of red flags.

Yea true, I suppose the uncle posse didn't know the CBA very well. Don't blame'em, who are they?