Should Toronto still want Kawhi?

uraverage · Post #1 » by **uraverage** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 12:27 am

As of 9/6 the nba.com roster still show Kawhi on the Clippers roster. Should Toronto back out on the trade based on the ethics/moral side of things?

thejigglyroom · Post #2 » by **thejigglyroom** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 12:53 am

Frank Dux · Post #3 » by **Frank Dux** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 1:17 am

Reeks of desperation on the Raptors end. He already bent them over and screwed them in the past. It’s not a great look welcoming him back after he demanded illegal compensation and then bailed to the first team that gave into his demands.

DirtyDez · Post #4 » by **DirtyDez** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 1:20 am

I thought Toronto overpaid but they’re a lot more interesting with Kawhi. At some point 1/3rd of the league has traded their picks 5-7 years down the line.

Gold Dragon · Post #5 » by **Gold Dragon** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 1:32 am

Frank Dux wrote:Reeks of desperation on the Raptors end. He already bent them over and screwed them in the past. It’s not a great look welcoming him back after he demanded illegal compensation and then bailed to the first team that gave into his demands.

If bending us over and screwing us again leads to another championship, we are open for business.

witnessraps · Post #6 » by **witnessraps** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 1:38 am

Frank Dux wrote:Reeks of desperation on the Raptors end. He already bent them over and screwed them in the past. It’s not a great look welcoming him back after he demanded illegal compensation and then bailed to the first team that gave into his demands.

He brought us our first championship, saying he screwed us seems like quite the stretch. He should have resigned to go for a dynasty but was under no obligation to do so. Raps gladly welcome him back and all the shady stuff from his clipper tenure doesnt affect us too much I dont think

MarcusBrody · Post #7 » by **MarcusBrody** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 2:57 am

I never understood the price they were willing to pay. Brandom Ingram and two unprotected firsts for a 35 year old version of a player who has been one of the least reliably available of all major superstars over the past seasons. Ingram was their volume scorer. Without him, do they really think they have offensive punch to contend even with Kawhi? They can't just rest him 1/4 of the season and use their depth to arrive at the playoffs in good shape for the playoffs. And even then - when he was 27 and rested a lot - he still looked like he was barely making it through the playoffs. I thought he looked like he was wearing out by the end of the Finals and looked less effective than earlier. Was it smalls ample size randomness, I don't know. But I wouldn't trust him to hold up to a long playoff run at this age. Heck, he hasn't won a playoff series since 2021.

Anyway, even though I think he's still a better player than Brandon Ingram, trading Ingram and 2 unprotected firsts for him at 35 when you don't look like you're one piece away from a Championship is insane to me.

Sixers in 4 · Post #8 » by **Sixers in 4** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 2:59 am

Sure he'll be better than Ingram. The picks, though, maybe I'd try to make one first. Two firsts is an overpay.

Post #9 » by **zimpy27** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 2:59 am

Yes.

Integrity and respect for the game are fundamental to who he is.

TravisScott55 · Post #10 » by **TravisScott55** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:08 am

Kawhi got paid under the table, he didn't murder someone. Y'all need to get a grip

MarcusBrody · Post #11 » by **MarcusBrody** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:13 am

TravisScott55 wrote:Kawhi got paid under the table, he didn't murder someone. Y'all need to get a grip

Only 4/23 people seem like their worried about the drama at all (and drama/future concerns could just be related to him wanting to sit out or not, I don't know).

DaGawd · Post #12 » by **DaGawd** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:17 am

why not? squeeze whats left of his star that there is and take inventory later

Sixers in 4 · Post #13 » by **Sixers in 4** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:19 am

TravisScott55 wrote:Kawhi got paid under the table, he didn't murder someone. Y'all need to get a grip

I mean, politicians can get 10–20 years for corruption, or at least they used to. Corruption in any form, whether it is in sports, public life, or politics, is corrosive to the social fabric.

I get it, though nobody seems to care anymore. Oh, and what Kawhi did to the Clippers may not be classified technically a homicide, but it should.

disoblige · Post #14 » by **disoblige** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:20 am

TravisScott55 wrote:Kawhi got paid under the table, he didn't murder someone. Y'all need to get a grip

he murdered a franchise

TravisScott55 · Post #15 » by **TravisScott55** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 3:23 am

Sixers in 4 wrote:
TravisScott55 wrote:Kawhi got paid under the table, he didn't murder someone. Y'all need to get a grip

I mean, politicians can get 10–20 years for corruption, or at least they used to. Corruption in any form, whether it is in sports, public life, or politics, is corrosive to the social fabric.

I get it, though nobody seems to care anymore. Oh, and what Kawhi did to the Clippers may not be classified technically a homicide, but it should.

If you put athletes on the same pedestal as elected politicians, thats a you problem, not a world issue.

Tor_Raps · Post #16 » by **Tor_Raps** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 4:06 am

Kawhi's too much of an upgrade to pass up but the potential for future discoveries with the SEC now investigating causes concern. Not to mention that the original trade happened assuming this was going to get buried.

Now with everything that has leaked, there is a lot of bad publicity that wont go away from Kawhi just because he wants to. Him and the team will hear about it against almost every road team.

Because of the above, id hope we can renogotiate the terms.

clippertown · Post #17 » by **clippertown** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 5:18 am

I hope the whole thing unravels so the Clippers can then suspend Kawhi without pay for the entire season and then withhold his bird rights, so he is forced to sign with a cap-space team on his next contract, for his last hurrah. Won't be Toronto so hopefully he will retire.

It's not much, but at least it is something for Clipper fans.

baldur · Post #18 » by **baldur** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 5:20 am

it is players' league. it is too naive to think all teams have too much dignity and self respect so they wouldnt sign him.

NO-KG-AI · Post #19 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 5:27 am

I don’t think he is worth the price or the headaches for all his risks. I guess I get why they want him, the good parts are great when he’s there, and his history helping them get a title is going to put rosey glasses on them. I get it, I just think they’ll regret it.

clippertown · Post #20 » by **clippertown** » Mon Sep 7, 2026 5:34 am

baldur wrote:it is players' league. it is too naive to think all teams have too much dignity and self respect so they wouldnt sign him.

There are rules that apply to trades. Apparently these are rules that are actually enforced relating to cap space. Take away Kawhi's bird rights and keep him hidden for a year to get fat in Hawaii and he is not getting a max deal, at least not with Toronto who have less than zero cap space.

I think Kawhi may actually notice that punishment. As a Clipper fan, it's a price I personally would be over-joyed to pay.

Should Toronto still want Kawhi at this cost