The Board Man Cometh!! Kawhi Leonard Signs 3 Year (2+1), $103 Million Deal

[Quake Griffin]

Lakers just traded for AD?

The chess board continues to look much different than, “make yourself attractive and he’ll come.”

[Quake Griffin]

Holy hell what a haul for one year of that guy.

He better agree to an extension right now.

[Ranma]

Think Kawhi will sign with clips as well.

Not because it’s a better situation because obviously Toronto is the better situation, no one can really question that.

But I just get the feeling his heart is in L.A, he’s desperate for the warm weather, and He’s won multiple rings now and winning I don’t think is the main factor.

Plus he is the kinda dude that prob thinks he can make any team into a contender.

First off, you're right. It's been previously noted that Kawhi has a great sense of belief in himself and thinks he can win regardless.

Second, I'm going to have to totally disagree with your notion that Toronto is unquestionably the better situation. Why would the Raptors offer a better opportunity than the Clippers? Just because they just won a championship? Kawhi was practically the only reason they were able to even reach the Finals. Before this season, the Raptors consistently had trouble advancing beyond the second round after the 2015-16 season. Even this postseason, individual Raptor players tended to disappear for most of the postseason. Granted they closed Game 6 with a full team effort with Kawhi less than superb, but that has not been the norm.

I've already acknowledged Nick Nurse as the best coach in the playoffs and that the Raptors defense is arguably the best in the NBA. I even noted that Pascal Siakam is better than any player on the Clippers right now, but even that is fairly arguable given that Montrezl Harrell posts similar stats but has a significantly higher PER. Full disclosure: I'm not particularly a fan of PER. Even still, Siakam sat out the close of Game 5 due to his lack of defensive effort while Trez is still improving and a finalist for the Sixth Man of the Year award along with teammate Lou Williams.

Not only is the window quickly closing for the Raptors, but the team won't be able to participate in the upcoming heralded free-agent class even if Kawhi leaves. The Clippers can and even have the flexibility of adding 2 max-level players. Even without Kawhi, the Clips are widely considered to be the destination franchise this summer. Plus, there are even rumors that the Raptors may even lose the architect of their championship squad, Masai Ujiri, and you're going to tell me that Toronto offers an unquestionably better situation?

[BDE]

Lakers signing AD doesnt bode well for the Clippers getting Kawhi. It just muddied the waters.

With that said, all of us Raptor fans are on the edge of our seats until FA hits.

[Ranma]

Watch on YouTube

[mkwest]

Read on Twitter

[The Box Office]

This thread will go down as the most pathetic in RealGM history when Kawhi signs with the Raptors again

I would be celebrating the championship if I was a Raptors fan. I wouldn't think about Kawhi right now. And there have been way more pathetic threads on RealGM than this.

[esqtvd]

Kawhi is coming to the Clippers. Call me crazy, but based on all his post championship interviews I am just getting the vibe that he is done with his chapter as a Raptor. Kawhi did exactly what he set out to do when he was first traded to Toronto and since he brought the city a championship, he can now leave guilt free and go where he really wants to be. I predict he comes via sign and trade for Galo?? or on a 1+1 deal.

Kawhi's still clearly noncommittal. I think--in principle--he owes his teammates a chance to defend their title but OTOH, who will still be left on the team? There might be no new "home" with the Raptors for Kawhi to stay with. This could be a one-and-done that has nothing to do with him really. The Wiz are gonna throw some Godfather 'offer you can't refuse' money at POBO Masai Ujiri.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/raptors-masai-ujiri-washington-wizards-offer

Lowry's 33 and on the last year of his [overpaid] contract, Gasol turns 35. Danny Green at 32 was a nonfactor in the playoffs.

Ibaka's still nice at 30 and Siakam is only 24. Van Vleet hit some shots and Anunoby might be a player someday, but there's really not a lot there to hang Kawhi's hat on.

And there was a TON of luck involved--Kawhi's bizarre 4-bounce buzzer beater in Game 7 against a talented but flawed Sixers team, then GSW losing 2 of their top 3 players in the Finals.

This was just one of those years, like Dirk's ring and Larry Brown's improbable Pistons team. Somebody had to win, and it was Kawhi.

Toronto really has no realistic expectation to repeat. It might be best for Kawhi to get his ass home to LA while the getting's good, and that means the max 4-year deal with the Clippers.

Or signing the 5-yr max with Toronto, if those contracts permit an opt-out that still gets him back to LA sometime in the next 2 years. There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

Siakam alone has more value and upside at both ends of the floor than anything current on the Clippers the Klaw can run with. He is a guaranteed 20pt/10rb all-star next year and all-team defence and still getting better. He should have been on that all-nba defensive team this year which he just came up short on and should have been an all-star with what he did on the team with the 2nd best record in the NBA. All that changes next year with his finals debut in game one and monster close out game 6 getting the title winning basket putting it on the key against Draymond.

Even if we stipulate Siakam's a 20/10 man [which is a big leap], the rest holds true. Lowry and Gasol are aging, Ibaka's just OK, and Van Vleet and Anonuby are still big ifs.

There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

[BDE]

Kawhi's still clearly noncommittal. I think--in principle--he owes his teammates a chance to defend their title but OTOH, who will still be left on the team? There might be no new "home" with the Raptors for Kawhi to stay with. This could be a one-and-done that has nothing to do with him really. The Wiz are gonna throw some Godfather 'offer you can't refuse' money at POBO Masai Ujiri.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/raptors-masai-ujiri-washington-wizards-offer

Lowry's 33 and on the last year of his [overpaid] contract, Gasol turns 35. Danny Green at 32 was a nonfactor in the playoffs.

Ibaka's still nice at 30 and Siakam is only 24. Van Vleet hit some shots and Anunoby might be a player someday, but there's really not a lot there to hang Kawhi's hat on.

And there was a TON of luck involved--Kawhi's bizarre 4-bounce buzzer beater in Game 7 against a talented but flawed Sixers team, then GSW losing 2 of their top 3 players in the Finals.

This was just one of those years, like Dirk's ring and Larry Brown's improbable Pistons team. Somebody had to win, and it was Kawhi.

Toronto really has no realistic expectation to repeat. It might be best for Kawhi to get his ass home to LA while the getting's good, and that means the max 4-year deal with the Clippers.

Or signing the 5-yr max with Toronto, if those contracts permit an opt-out that still gets him back to LA sometime in the next 2 years. There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

Siakam alone has more value and upside at both ends of the floor than anything current on the Clippers the Klaw can run with. He is a guaranteed 20pt/10rb all-star next year and all-team defence and still getting better. He should have been on that all-nba defensive team this year which he just came up short on and should have been an all-star with what he did on the team with the 2nd best record in the NBA. All that changes next year with his finals debut in game one and monster close out game 6 getting the title winning basket putting it on the key against Draymond.

Even if we stipulate Siakam's a 20/10 man [which is a big leap], the rest holds true. Lowry and Gasol are aging, Ibaka's just OK, and Van Vleet and Anonuby are still big ifs.

There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

Lowry and Gasol are aging...after just winning a Title and going through the best of the East.

Raptors going to run it back - and as Lowry and Gasol age another year, Siakim,OG, FVV and Powell will get a year older and wiser.

[esqtvd]

Siakam alone has more value and upside at both ends of the floor than anything current on the Clippers the Klaw can run with. He is a guaranteed 20pt/10rb all-star next year and all-team defence and still getting better. He should have been on that all-nba defensive team this year which he just came up short on and should have been an all-star with what he did on the team with the 2nd best record in the NBA. All that changes next year with his finals debut in game one and monster close out game 6 getting the title winning basket putting it on the key against Draymond.

Even if we stipulate Siakam's a 20/10 man [which is a big leap], the rest holds true. Lowry and Gasol are aging, Ibaka's just OK, and Van Vleet and Anonuby are still big ifs.

There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

Lowry and Gasol are aging...after just winning a Title and going through the best of the East.

Raptors going to run it back - and as Lowry and Gasol age another year, Siakim,OG, FVV and Powell will get a year older and wiser.

Kawhi did that. Beat the Sixers, shut down Giannis. Before GSW lost 2 of its top 3 players, pretty much the narrative was that Kawhi carried the Raptors on his back with little help from the rest.

If Kawhi wants to come back and defend the title, good on him. But he's gonna have to carry them on his back again.

[BDE]

Even if we stipulate Siakam's a 20/10 man [which is a big leap], the rest holds true. Lowry and Gasol are aging, Ibaka's just OK, and Van Vleet and Anonuby are still big ifs.

There's no budding dynasty up there in Toronto, nothing to commit the rest of your career to. This was a one-shot deal.

Lowry and Gasol are aging...after just winning a Title and going through the best of the East.

Raptors going to run it back - and as Lowry and Gasol age another year, Siakim,OG, FVV and Powell will get a year older and wiser.

Kawhi did that. Beat the Sixers, shut down Giannis. Before GSW lost 2 of its top 3 players, pretty much the narrative was that Kawhi carried the Raptors on his back with little help from the rest.

If Kawhi wants to come back and defend the title, good on him. But he's gonna have to carry them on his back again.

Kawhi had an incredible playoffs but he didnt carry the team solely on his back. Others stepped up big and our defense was outstanding. Not to mention, we didnt overplay him this season and the team still did phenomenal.

But again - run your theories of Lowry and Gasol being over the hill despite just winning a title 3 days ago.

Nonetheless, as you agreed to earlier, Siakim is better than anyone on your roster right now and is only 25. Even if you consider Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka role players - and I do at this point - it still blows away anything The Clippers can provide at the moment.

[esqtvd]

Lowry and Gasol are aging...after just winning a Title and going through the best of the East.

Raptors going to run it back - and as Lowry and Gasol age another year, Siakim,OG, FVV and Powell will get a year older and wiser.

Kawhi did that. Beat the Sixers, shut down Giannis. Before GSW lost 2 of its top 3 players, pretty much the narrative was that Kawhi carried the Raptors on his back with little help from the rest.

If Kawhi wants to come back and defend the title, good on him. But he's gonna have to carry them on his back again.

Kawhi had an incredible playoffs but he didnt carry the team solely on his back. Others stepped up big and our defense was outstanding. Not to mention, we didnt overplay him this season and the team still did phenomenal.

But again - run your theories of Lowry and Gasol being over the hill despite just winning a title 3 days ago.

Nonetheless, as you agreed to earlier, Siakim is better than anyone on your roster right now and is only 25. Even if you consider Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka role players - and I do at this point - it still blows away anything The Clippers can provide at the moment.

Siakam is a nice player. 17/7 this year, 19/7 in the playoffs. Nice. Then it drops off bigtime after that.

It's a nice team. No dynasty in the making though. As for the Clippers, if the Raptors were in Southern California, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But they're not.

[BDE]

Kawhi did that. Beat the Sixers, shut down Giannis. Before GSW lost 2 of its top 3 players, pretty much the narrative was that Kawhi carried the Raptors on his back with little help from the rest.

If Kawhi wants to come back and defend the title, good on him. But he's gonna have to carry them on his back again.

Kawhi had an incredible playoffs but he didnt carry the team solely on his back. Others stepped up big and our defense was outstanding. Not to mention, we didnt overplay him this season and the team still did phenomenal.

But again - run your theories of Lowry and Gasol being over the hill despite just winning a title 3 days ago.

Nonetheless, as you agreed to earlier, Siakim is better than anyone on your roster right now and is only 25. Even if you consider Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka role players - and I do at this point - it still blows away anything The Clippers can provide at the moment.

Siakam is a nice player. 17/7 this year, 19/7 in the playoffs. Nice. Then it drops off bigtime after that.

It's a nice team. No dynasty in the making though. As for the Clippers, if the Raptors were in Southern California, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But they're not.

I'd like to think Kawhi is a little more well rounded and complex than picking a team just for the weather and because he grew up 2 hours away. But to each their own. Whatever he chooses, I'll respect it but itd be a big disappointment after building something great in Toronto that can easily be ran back this coming year (and then a ton of cap space for 2020 to retool).

[esqtvd]

Kawhi had an incredible playoffs but he didnt carry the team solely on his back. Others stepped up big and our defense was outstanding. Not to mention, we didnt overplay him this season and the team still did phenomenal.

But again - run your theories of Lowry and Gasol being over the hill despite just winning a title 3 days ago.

Nonetheless, as you agreed to earlier, Siakim is better than anyone on your roster right now and is only 25. Even if you consider Lowry, Gasol, and Ibaka role players - and I do at this point - it still blows away anything The Clippers can provide at the moment.

Siakam is a nice player. 17/7 this year, 19/7 in the playoffs. Nice. Then it drops off bigtime after that.

It's a nice team. No dynasty in the making though. As for the Clippers, if the Raptors were in Southern California, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But they're not.

I'd like to think Kawhi is a little more well rounded and complex than picking a team just for the weather and because he grew up 2 hours away. But to each their own. Whatever he chooses, I'll respect it but itd be a big disappointment after building something great in Toronto that can easily be ran back this coming year (and then a ton of cap space for 2020 to retool).

Bron went back to freaking Cleveland! Voluntarily!

Then he moved to LA. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


We agree that Kawhi's in the clear no matter what he chooses. I just don't think the Raptors are as good as you think they are, and as Barkley says, it sucks being the only stud on your team. As good as Siakam is, he has a ways to go from 17/7 to become an all-star, and even farther to be a guy who can dominate some nights and take the load off Kawhi.


And I don't think it's "shallow" to want to be home at last in California. Kawhi's been a road warrior for 8 years in the NBA and no matter how comfortable it is in Toronto, you're still away from home from the end of September until June [if things go well]. Your life is not your own, it's the NBA's.

Kawhi's already got 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs; he has nothing to want or to want to prove. He just might want to reclaim his life. And regardless of Toronto's prospects to repeat in 2019-20, Kawhi's long-term basketball future is as good or better with the Clippers.

[Galloisdaman]

My updated no rhyme or reason guess for Kawhi:

Toronto 45%
Clippers 35%
Other 20%

[BDE]

Siakam is a nice player. 17/7 this year, 19/7 in the playoffs. Nice. Then it drops off bigtime after that.

It's a nice team. No dynasty in the making though. As for the Clippers, if the Raptors were in Southern California, we wouldn't be having this discussion. But they're not.

I'd like to think Kawhi is a little more well rounded and complex than picking a team just for the weather and because he grew up 2 hours away. But to each their own. Whatever he chooses, I'll respect it but itd be a big disappointment after building something great in Toronto that can easily be ran back this coming year (and then a ton of cap space for 2020 to retool).

Bron went back to freaking Cleveland! Voluntarily!

Then he moved to LA. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


We agree that Kawhi's in the clear no matter what he chooses. I just don't think the Raptors are as good as you think they are, and as Barkley says, it sucks being the only stud on your team. As good as Siakam is, he has a ways to go from 17/7 to become an all-star, and even farther to be a guy who can dominate some nights and take the load off Kawhi.


And I don't think it's "shallow" to want to be home at last in California. Kawhi's been a road warrior for 8 years in the NBA and no matter how comfortable it is in Toronto, you're still away from home from the end of September until June [if things go well]. Your life is not your own, it's the NBA's.

Kawhi's already got 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs; he has nothing to want or to want to prove. He just might want to reclaim his life. And regardless of Toronto's prospects to repeat in 2019-20, Kawhi's long-term basketball future is as good or better with the Clippers.

Lebron's situation was completely different. He went back to Cleveland more as a PR move to repair his brand more than anything else. And went to LA after to dip his toe further into Hollywood.

Look, I agree with you on the fact that home is home and nice weather is nice weather. Everyone in Toronto gets that. You'll always have us there.

But to say we're not a good team? I really need to shake my head at that and kind of laugh. Without Kawhi, it wasnt possible but without the supporting cast, Raps wouldnt be at the dance.

We'll enjoy our Title. Chip with the Dip. 6ix in 6.

[Galloisdaman]

I'd like to think Kawhi is a little more well rounded and complex than picking a team just for the weather and because he grew up 2 hours away. But to each their own. Whatever he chooses, I'll respect it but itd be a big disappointment after building something great in Toronto that can easily be ran back this coming year (and then a ton of cap space for 2020 to retool).

Bron went back to freaking Cleveland! Voluntarily!

Then he moved to LA. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


We agree that Kawhi's in the clear no matter what he chooses. I just don't think the Raptors are as good as you think they are, and as Barkley says, it sucks being the only stud on your team. As good as Siakam is, he has a ways to go from 17/7 to become an all-star, and even farther to be a guy who can dominate some nights and take the load off Kawhi.


And I don't think it's "shallow" to want to be home at last in California. Kawhi's been a road warrior for 8 years in the NBA and no matter how comfortable it is in Toronto, you're still away from home from the end of September until June [if things go well]. Your life is not your own, it's the NBA's.

Kawhi's already got 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs; he has nothing to want or to want to prove. He just might want to reclaim his life. And regardless of Toronto's prospects to repeat in 2019-20, Kawhi's long-term basketball future is as good or better with the Clippers.

Lebron's situation was completely different. He went back to Cleveland more as a PR move to repair his brand more than anything else. And went to LA after to dip his toe further into Hollywood.

Look, I agree with you on the fact that home is home and nice weather is nice weather. Everyone in Toronto gets that. You'll always have us there.

But to say we're not a good team? I really need to shake my head at that and kind of laugh. Without Kawhi, it wasnt possible but without the supporting cast, Raps wouldnt be at the dance.

We'll enjoy our Title. Chip with the Dip. 6ix in 6.

Your team has been underrated. Their defense was impressive. Obviously KL was your main guy but the rest of the team played huge as well. Go enjoy your ring. I almost feel bad for you guys because the story is always where KL will go before your ring and after your ring.

[BDE]

Bron went back to freaking Cleveland! Voluntarily!

Then he moved to LA. So ¯\_(ツ)_/¯


We agree that Kawhi's in the clear no matter what he chooses. I just don't think the Raptors are as good as you think they are, and as Barkley says, it sucks being the only stud on your team. As good as Siakam is, he has a ways to go from 17/7 to become an all-star, and even farther to be a guy who can dominate some nights and take the load off Kawhi.


And I don't think it's "shallow" to want to be home at last in California. Kawhi's been a road warrior for 8 years in the NBA and no matter how comfortable it is in Toronto, you're still away from home from the end of September until June [if things go well]. Your life is not your own, it's the NBA's.

Kawhi's already got 2 rings and 2 Finals MVPs; he has nothing to want or to want to prove. He just might want to reclaim his life. And regardless of Toronto's prospects to repeat in 2019-20, Kawhi's long-term basketball future is as good or better with the Clippers.

Lebron's situation was completely different. He went back to Cleveland more as a PR move to repair his brand more than anything else. And went to LA after to dip his toe further into Hollywood.

Look, I agree with you on the fact that home is home and nice weather is nice weather. Everyone in Toronto gets that. You'll always have us there.

But to say we're not a good team? I really need to shake my head at that and kind of laugh. Without Kawhi, it wasnt possible but without the supporting cast, Raps wouldnt be at the dance.

We'll enjoy our Title. Chip with the Dip. 6ix in 6.

Your team has been underrated. Their defense was impressive. Obviously KL was your main guy but the rest of the team played huge as well. Go enjoy your ring. I almost feel bad for you guys because the story is always where KL will go before your ring and after your ring.

Thanks for the acknowledgement. Reading some of the comments on here, I agree that the team has been underrated. People forget that this has been a 50+ win team for a few years even before Kawhi. And that we rested him for a third of it and still had a strong season. Raptors also have a ton of cap space after this coming season. So the "long-term" outlook isnt bad.

It's a two-horse race between Clippers and Raptors. If Kawhi chooses you guys, it was simply about being home.

[Galloisdaman]

Lebron's situation was completely different. He went back to Cleveland more as a PR move to repair his brand more than anything else. And went to LA after to dip his toe further into Hollywood.

Look, I agree with you on the fact that home is home and nice weather is nice weather. Everyone in Toronto gets that. You'll always have us there.

But to say we're not a good team? I really need to shake my head at that and kind of laugh. Without Kawhi, it wasnt possible but without the supporting cast, Raps wouldnt be at the dance.

We'll enjoy our Title. Chip with the Dip. 6ix in 6.

Your team has been underrated. Their defense was impressive. Obviously KL was your main guy but the rest of the team played huge as well. Go enjoy your ring. I almost feel bad for you guys because the story is always where KL will go before your ring and after your ring.

Thanks for the acknowledgement. Reading some of the comments on here, I agree that the team has been underrated. People forget that this has been a 50+ win team for a few years even before Kawhi. And that we rested him for a third of it and still had a strong season. Raptors also have a ton of cap space after this coming season. So the "long-term" outlook isnt bad.

It's a two-horse race between Clippers and Raptors. If Kawhi chooses you guys, it was simply about being home.

Your team played very well. They have in the past as you noted as well. I do not think you guys will have a dynasty just based on the age of Lowry, Gasol, Green and Ibaka but even winning one ring is a huge accomplishment. Most my teams have not won in my lifetime. You guys should feel on top of the world not have to worry about whats next so soon. I do think Siakam is a very legit player. Not a top 10 player as one poster suggested but a possible all star. I respect how your team was built and played together.

[Steelo Green]

Your team has been underrated. Their defense was impressive. Obviously KL was your main guy but the rest of the team played huge as well. Go enjoy your ring. I almost feel bad for you guys because the story is always where KL will go before your ring and after your ring.

Thanks for the acknowledgement. Reading some of the comments on here, I agree that the team has been underrated. People forget that this has been a 50+ win team for a few years even before Kawhi. And that we rested him for a third of it and still had a strong season. Raptors also have a ton of cap space after this coming season. So the "long-term" outlook isnt bad.

It's a two-horse race between Clippers and Raptors. If Kawhi chooses you guys, it was simply about being home.

Your team played very well. They have in the past as you noted as well. I do not think you guys will have a dynasty just based on the age of Lowry, Gasol, Green and Ibaka but even winning one ring is a huge accomplishment. Most my teams have not won in my lifetime. You guys should feel on top of the world not have to worry about whats next so soon. I do think Siakam is a very legit player. Not a top 10 player as one poster suggested but a possible all star. I respect how your team was built and played together.

Kawhi going to LA is simply for LA, every other reason is Toronto. Money, organizational trust, medical trust, he has already won there, Siakam is a legitimate star (not being top 10 is not some insult).

Anyone who thinks LAC are a better team than Toronto without Kawhi is living in fantasy land.