Woj: Kawhi still leaning towards Clippers, Raptors have a lot of work to do still

[OkcSinceSGA]

I think the Raptors are more built to win the next year or two. If you compare rosters top to bottom, assets, flexibility etc.. I think the Clippers (with Kawhi of course) will be better for 5+ years almost certainly. Lowry and Gasol are due to fall off a cliff at any time. Ibaka likely won't continue this resurgence. It's basically gonna be Kawhi+Siakam and an inferior role player cast outside of that. I get Siakam is the best young player, but he's not better than Harrell+SGA+Shamet combined for example. Clippers are younger with their core and the vets they do have like Lou/Gallo are borderline all star guys. So I still disagree that's it's a pure LA decision. Likely biggest factor, but the Clippers front office, ownership, coaching and future prospects are top tier as well.

All this said, I expect him to stay anyway.

Siakam and FVV are proven on the biggest level now, there's no telling what SGA/Shamet and Harrell would be able to do on the biggest stage. The potential of SGA & Shamet is good, but FVV & Siakam have actualized that and Siakam has proven he can be a secondary star on a championship team with 20/7/4 in the finals being guarded by Iguodala and Green. I think Siakam will be an all-star next season, none of those young guys on the Clippers will be that in the next 2-3 years.

I think it's purely a lifestyle decision to go to the Clippers, basketball definitely comes secondary IMO.

Not only that but the Raptors also have have Norman Powell who had a major role and Chris Boucher who is the reigning G-League MVP and DPOY. Also here are the list of expiring contracts the Raptors have next offseason:

Lowry $33.3 Million
Gasol $25.6 Million (Player Option)
Ibaka $23.3 Million
FVV $8.6 Million

Including min contracts that also expire in 2020 there is almost $95 million expiring. That is not including a one year deal they would give Danny. As of right now Powell is the only contract on the books in 20/21 at 10.8 Million. The pitch is we run it back with this team with minor changes and Kawahi, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka get load management while they young guys like Pascal, FVV, OG, Powell, Boucher carry a greater load during the year and get better. In the summer of 2020 we have a max salary slot after all the expirings and only having Kawahi and Siakam (extension) and Powell (if they don't trade his contract) on the books and build a big 3 with a 3rd star.

I just don't see a star going to Toronto in free agency. If I thought they were less ignorant about how great Toronto is, I'd say the Raptors easily had an advantage going forward. The free agent draw is a huge part of why I give LA the advantage.

[Anticon]

Toronto has a lot of work to do? They just won a championship with him... What else is there to do????

They need to pitch him that the future will be just as good as this year. There's a window for contention for one more year, but when 3 of your starters are 32+ it's a reasonable question.

He's turning 28, these next four seasons are the last of his prime. So Masai has to make the case for their ability to maximise it compared to LAC or even NYC.

I suspect a lot of weight will end up being placed on the plans - and their credibility - for the next few years put forth by the different teams.

[Jadoogar]

If he goes to LA it's simply because he wants to be home, I don't think anyone should be mad at him if he does leave that's the reason. Cause I don't see how the Clippers are a better basketball situation than the Raptors are right now.

I think the Raptors are more built to win the next year or two. If you compare rosters top to bottom, assets, flexibility etc.. I think the Clippers (with Kawhi of course) will be better for 5+ years almost certainly. Lowry and Gasol are due to fall off a cliff at any time. Ibaka likely won't continue this resurgence. It's basically gonna be Kawhi+Siakam and an inferior role player cast outside of that. I get Siakam is the best young player, but he's not better than Harrell+SGA+Shamet combined for example. Clippers are younger with their core and the vets they do have like Lou/Gallo are borderline all star guys. So I still disagree that's it's a pure LA decision. Likely biggest factor, but the Clippers front office, ownership, coaching and future prospects are top tier as well.

All this said, I expect him to stay anyway.

He can sign a 1+1, Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka expire after next year and they can reload/attract free agents at that point.

[Ree4erMadness]

Told you guys, if he were even LEANING towards Toronto, he would just come out and say it. None of this, "I'm not thinking about that right now", and all of this nonsense. Do any of you study psychology or human nature? Have you read the "Laws of Human Nature"? Do any of you actually think he hasn't thought about this? As human nature suggests, you convince yourselves that he's telling the truth because that's your truth, you want him to stay. Instead of logically thinking to yourself, of course he's thought about it, unless you actually think he's a cyborg and not a human.

People give away hints in their tone and body language without even realizing it.

Somebody else said it, they just won the championship in his first season, gave him the keys when he got there, let him sit out games whenever he wanted. What the hell else do they need to do?

Its like asking a chick out, anything other than "yes", is a "no". All this maybe, I"m not sure, I haven't really thought about it, is just another way of saying no without being direct about it. She doesn't want to hurt your feelings. You've been the best man you can be towards her. You've been kind, polite, generous, caring, thoughtful, you've got your sh*t together. Yet she still only sees you as a friend. She just doesn't like you like THAT.

It sucks, its life.

[mademan]

Siakam and FVV are proven on the biggest level now, there's no telling what SGA/Shamet and Harrell would be able to do on the biggest stage. The potential of SGA & Shamet is good, but FVV & Siakam have actualized that and Siakam has proven he can be a secondary star on a championship team with 20/7/4 in the finals being guarded by Iguodala and Green. I think Siakam will be an all-star next season, none of those young guys on the Clippers will be that in the next 2-3 years.

I think it's purely a lifestyle decision to go to the Clippers, basketball definitely comes secondary IMO.

Not only that but the Raptors also have have Norman Powell who had a major role and Chris Boucher who is the reigning G-League MVP and DPOY. Also here are the list of expiring contracts the Raptors have next offseason:

Lowry $33.3 Million
Gasol $25.6 Million (Player Option)
Ibaka $23.3 Million
FVV $8.6 Million

Including min contracts that also expire in 2020 there is almost $95 million expiring. That is not including a one year deal they would give Danny. As of right now Powell is the only contract on the books in 20/21 at 10.8 Million. The pitch is we run it back with this team with minor changes and Kawahi, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka get load management while they young guys like Pascal, FVV, OG, Powell, Boucher carry a greater load during the year and get better. In the summer of 2020 we have a max salary slot after all the expirings and only having Kawahi and Siakam (extension) and Powell (if they don't trade his contract) on the books and build a big 3 with a 3rd star.

I just don't see a star going to Toronto in free agency. If I thought they were less ignorant about how great Toronto is, I'd say the Raptors easily had an advantage going forward. The free agent draw is a huge part of why I give LA the advantage.

Over the past 30ish years, the only FA to switch teams to sign with LA were Shaq (before RFA was a thing for rookies) and Lebron (at the tail end of his career).

LA seemingly hasnt been a strong free agent draw for some time now. While guys have their names tied to the city often, when the moment of truth comes, they dont actually ever go there. And if Kawhi decides to stay, it only further proves that media knows absolutely nothing

[MoMan24]

Siakam and FVV are proven on the biggest level now, there's no telling what SGA/Shamet and Harrell would be able to do on the biggest stage. The potential of SGA & Shamet is good, but FVV & Siakam have actualized that and Siakam has proven he can be a secondary star on a championship team with 20/7/4 in the finals being guarded by Iguodala and Green. I think Siakam will be an all-star next season, none of those young guys on the Clippers will be that in the next 2-3 years.

I think it's purely a lifestyle decision to go to the Clippers, basketball definitely comes secondary IMO.

Not only that but the Raptors also have have Norman Powell who had a major role and Chris Boucher who is the reigning G-League MVP and DPOY. Also here are the list of expiring contracts the Raptors have next offseason:

Lowry $33.3 Million
Gasol $25.6 Million (Player Option)
Ibaka $23.3 Million
FVV $8.6 Million

Including min contracts that also expire in 2020 there is almost $95 million expiring. That is not including a one year deal they would give Danny. As of right now Powell is the only contract on the books in 20/21 at 10.8 Million. The pitch is we run it back with this team with minor changes and Kawahi, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka get load management while they young guys like Pascal, FVV, OG, Powell, Boucher carry a greater load during the year and get better. In the summer of 2020 we have a max salary slot after all the expirings and only having Kawahi and Siakam (extension) and Powell (if they don't trade his contract) on the books and build a big 3 with a 3rd star.

I just don't see a star going to Toronto in free agency. If I thought they were less ignorant about how great Toronto is, I'd say the Raptors easily had an advantage going forward. The free agent draw is a huge part of why I give LA the advantage.

You see what you want to see.

[sca]

How are the Raptors going to improve?

I think Leonard sees that it took a lot of injury to get it done in Toronto.
Clippers took that team to 6 when it was healthy.
He can join, with someone else, and clean up in big market money? I think he's gone.

This is like saying that DJ Augustin stole 1 game from the eventual champs, while Steph managed to steal 2, so they’re comparable as players.

Everyone knows that the Warriors were never in danger of being eliminated in that series.

[First Step]

Told you guys, if he were even LEANING towards Toronto, he would just come out and say it. None of this, "I'm not thinking about that right now", and all of this nonsense. Do any of you study psychology or human nature? Have you read the "Laws of Human Nature"? Do any of you actually think he hasn't thought about this? Are as human nature suggests, you convince yourselves that he's telling the truth because thats your truth, you want him to stay. Instead of logically thinking to yourself, of course he's thought about it, unless you actually think he's a cyborg and not a human.

People give away hints in their tone and body language without even realizing it.

He's obviously giving the politically correct answer, but it's not unreasonable that he hasn't made a decision.

I'm sure now that the season is done, he can sit down with his family and lay out all the scenarios and make the best decision for himself.

[6ix]

This story is nothing but BS.

Clearly the Toronto Raptor winning the NBA Championship has hurt a lot of feelings. Lots of salt being thrown around.

[BoozerRoNo]

What was the device used under Kevin Durant's leg sleeve to make it look like a real ruptured achilles?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Not only that but the Raptors also have have Norman Powell who had a major role and Chris Boucher who is the reigning G-League MVP and DPOY. Also here are the list of expiring contracts the Raptors have next offseason:

Lowry $33.3 Million
Gasol $25.6 Million (Player Option)
Ibaka $23.3 Million
FVV $8.6 Million

Including min contracts that also expire in 2020 there is almost $95 million expiring. That is not including a one year deal they would give Danny. As of right now Powell is the only contract on the books in 20/21 at 10.8 Million. The pitch is we run it back with this team with minor changes and Kawahi, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka get load management while they young guys like Pascal, FVV, OG, Powell, Boucher carry a greater load during the year and get better. In the summer of 2020 we have a max salary slot after all the expirings and only having Kawahi and Siakam (extension) and Powell (if they don't trade his contract) on the books and build a big 3 with a 3rd star.

I just don't see a star going to Toronto in free agency. If I thought they were less ignorant about how great Toronto is, I'd say the Raptors easily had an advantage going forward. The free agent draw is a huge part of why I give LA the advantage.

Over the past 30ish years, the only FA to switch teams to sign with LA were Shaq (before RFA was a thing for rookies) and Lebron (at the tail end of his career).

LA seemingly hasnt been a strong free agent draw for some time now. While guys have their names tied to the city often, when the moment of truth comes, they dont actually ever go there. And if Kawhi decides to stay, it only further proves that media knows absolutely nothing

The Clippers have gotten meetings with all the top guys though, or been on every superstar's top 3 destination list, despite even years when they had no cap. Kawhi, AD, PG, KD etc all were willing to go to Clips. KD was impressed as hell with the Clips presentation according to his camp/WOJ etc. I don't see stars even having Toronto on the radar due to not wanting to live up there for the most part. Again, if it was ME I'd love to play for Toronto. It would be top 3 on my list. Most stars though still in prime or younger, tend to prefer LA.

[HoopsterJones]

Raptors will put up a statue of Kawhi. The patron saint of Load Management.

[Luigi]

How are the Raptors going to improve?

I think Leonard sees that it took a lot of injury to get it done in Toronto.
Clippers took that team to 6 when it was healthy.
He can join, with someone else, and clean up in big market money? I think he's gone.

This is like saying that DJ Augustin stole 1 game from the eventual champs, while Steph managed to steal 2, so they’re comparable as players.

Everyone knows that the Warriors were never in danger of being eliminated in that series.

I don't think they are anything alike. It is true that the Clippers took a healthy Warriors team to 6 games. You have taken it to mean something very strange.

[OkcSinceSGA]

How are the Raptors going to improve?

I think Leonard sees that it took a lot of injury to get it done in Toronto.
Clippers took that team to 6 when it was healthy.
He can join, with someone else, and clean up in big market money? I think he's gone.

This is like saying that DJ Augustin stole 1 game from the eventual champs, while Steph managed to steal 2, so they’re comparable as players.

Everyone knows that the Warriors were never in danger of being eliminated in that series.

The Clippers also faced the healthiest Warriors team in the playoffs in which KD was going historically nuclear (at a higher level than Kawhi ended up at). The Clippers were expected to get swept by huge margins. Honestly I do not believe the Raptors beat the Warriors with the healthier Klay+KD that the Clippers faced either. They also lose in 6 probably.

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

Yup he's going to the Clippers and Masai is going to the Wizards.

Nothing tears a franchise apart like winning.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Raps better offer Uncle Dennis a cushy, seven-figure front office job quick!

[poomaster]

How are the Raptors going to improve?

I think Leonard sees that it took a lot of injury to get it done in Toronto.
Clippers took that team to 6 when it was healthy.
He can join, with someone else, and clean up in big market money? I think he's gone.

This is like saying that DJ Augustin stole 1 game from the eventual champs, while Steph managed to steal 2, so they’re comparable as players.

Everyone knows that the Warriors were never in danger of being eliminated in that series.

The Clippers also faced the healthiest Warriors team in the playoffs in which KD was going historically nuclear (at a higher level than Kawhi ended up at). The Clippers were expected to get swept by huge margins. Honestly I do not believe the Raptors beat the Warriors with the healthier Klay+KD that the Clippers did either. They also lose in 6 probably.

The Warriors never took the Clippers seriously , they weren't putting in the extreme effort of a finals series vs round 1 against an 8th seed.

[TdotRap4Lyfe]

If he goes to Clippers then good luck. He won't have any load management in the West. Every game matters in the West, seeding is everything. He won't get to coast to a top 4 seed.

[OkcSinceSGA]

This is like saying that DJ Augustin stole 1 game from the eventual champs, while Steph managed to steal 2, so they’re comparable as players.

Everyone knows that the Warriors were never in danger of being eliminated in that series.

The Clippers also faced the healthiest Warriors team in the playoffs in which KD was going historically nuclear (at a higher level than Kawhi ended up at). The Clippers were expected to get swept by huge margins. Honestly I do not believe the Raptors beat the Warriors with the healthier Klay+KD that the Clippers did either. They also lose in 6 probably.

The Warriors never took the Clippers seriously , they weren't putting in the extreme effort of a finals series vs round 1 against an 8th seed.

This is such a cop out lol. You can argue that the Clippers surprised them or flew under radar, but it doesn't change anything man. Bottom line is an 8 seed put up a mostly competitive series and showed the league they were WAY better than expected over and over again. The Clippers also faced the healthiest Warriors team of anybody these playoffs. I'd much take a team lightly but have a healthy team than having KD out and Klay hurt all series.

[HotelVitale]

I don't think a free agent like Kawhi can really count on anything past 1 or 2 years. A team in a great position is inevitably going to have important players coming off rookie contracts, etc. Kawhi's fortunate to have a title team to return to, or a great situation in LA as well if he so chooses. If he signs a long deal in either place, it's just as much a bet on the FO, and both Toronto and Clippers seem to have excellent ones.

I think we're mostly on the same page, but as a sidenote I don't think we should chuck all of the current context and say 'well, all FAs are equally uncertain about their future.' KD knew he was getting Steph, Klay, and Draymond in their primes, for example, and Lebron and Bosh knew they were getting years of each other and Wade in their primes. Some of the other pieces weren't clear but they moved based on some basic certainties. (Other guys like Grant Hill, or maybe Kyrie now, left non-contenders to roll the dice with younger teams with cap space.)

Kawhi's in a more specific situation in which he's not going to a blank-slate team but has to choose which type of risk he wants. The Raptors will almost definitely be good next year, but the FO can't really do anything definite if Lowry and Gasol start falling off soon (a very real possibility), there's no magic formula to get all-star level supporting players quickly whenever you need them. Conversely the Clips are a total wildcard and the FO can't do anything to guarantee they'll land something great with the picks and cap space they have--they can only do their due diligence, work the right angles, and hope some things shake out. Be interesting to see how it goes.