Masai: ‘Plenty part' of Kawhi wanted to stay with Raptors

[GG0701]

Raptors president Masai Ujiri was spearheading the campaign to keep Leonard north of the border after a championship season, and believes the two-time Finals MVP did have some desire to stay in Toronto.

“There was plenty part of him that wanted to stay,” Ujiri said in an interview with CBC. “Winning, the city, medical, there are so many things I could tell…

“He won in the city, had one of the greatest shots in NBA history, the fans, an unbelievable parade. I know Kawhi, I know he really thought about all those things.”

While he is obviously disappointed in the end result, Ujiri doesn’t harbour any resentment toward Leonard. He completely understands that the superstar wanted to return to his roots.

“If he wants to go home, he’s gone home,” Ujiri said. “If there was a team in Lagos, Nigeria or Zaria, Nigeria, if there was an NBA team there I don’t know if I would stay in Toronto. There are some callings in life and some things that pull people one way or the other and I completely understand that.”

https://www.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/masai-ujiri-plenty-part-of-kawhi-wanted-to-stay-with-raptors-182141896.html

[bongmarley]

There was zero part a Kawhi wanted to stay. It is what it is

[J-Roc]

As long as the rest of the team kept a part of Kawhi we'll be fine.

[tecumseh18]

I think Masai's suggesting here that other members of Kawhi's team/family tipped the balance in the decision.

Maybe, but I always assumed that Kawhi just wanted out. I have it on mid-level authority that Toronto was always going to be a hard sell, even as the team made the Finals. For one thing, he really hated the weather here.

[siakamthemvp]

“If he wants to go home, he’s gone home,” Ujiri said. “If there was a team in Lagos, Nigeria or Zaria, Nigeria, if there was an NBA team there I don’t know if I would stay in Toronto. There are some callings in life and some things that pull people one way or the other and I completely understand that.”

https://www.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/masai-ujiri-plenty-part-of-kawhi-wanted-to-stay-with-raptors-182141896.html

When NBA Africa launches, Ujiri is gone. He'll be the Commissioner there.

[Kevin Willis]

I think Masai's suggesting here that other members of Kawhi's team/family tipped the balance in the decision.

Maybe, but I always assumed that Kawhi just wanted out. I have it on mid-level authority that Toronto was always going to be a hard sell, even as the team made the Finals. For one thing, he really hated the weather here.

True but Kawhi was the King of this country. Free apartments, food, plane, cars (Nav) and more. He probably did hate the weather here but half the teams in the NBA have similar weather so that's not insulting. Plus this is a talented team in the east, with great management and fans. If Clippers dropped the ball, I doubt he would feel horrible to come up here and start a dynasty.

[SHFT]

“If he wants to go home, he’s gone home,” Ujiri said. “If there was a team in Lagos, Nigeria or Zaria, Nigeria, if there was an NBA team there I don’t know if I would stay in Toronto. There are some callings in life and some things that pull people one way or the other and I completely understand that.”

https://www.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/masai-ujiri-plenty-part-of-kawhi-wanted-to-stay-with-raptors-182141896.html

When NBA Africa launches, Ujiri is gone. He'll be the Commissioner there.

I got that same feeling hearing that. And to make matters worse, the league is expected to start January 2020.

[Quattro]

There was zero part a Kawhi wanted to stay. It is what it is

I'm sure you know better than Masai.

[Tofubeque]

Woj: Wizards currently looking to move their franchise to Lagos or Zaria

[arneil]

I think Masai's suggesting here that other members of Kawhi's team/family tipped the balance in the decision.

Maybe, but I always assumed that Kawhi just wanted out. I have it on mid-level authority that Toronto was always going to be a hard sell, even as the team made the Finals. For one thing, he really hated the weather here.

True but Kawhi was the King of this country. Free apartments, food, plane, cars (Nav) and more. He probably did hate the weather here but half the teams in the NBA have similar weather so that's not insulting. Plus this is a talented team in the east, with great management and fans. If Clippers dropped the ball, I doubt he would feel horrible to come up here and start a dynasty.

I'd have to agree with this. Half of the NBA teams are in parts of North America that are cold and have winter. And some of those teams are in cities that aren't even close to the level of living standards that Toronto has (Utah, Denever, Milwuakee etc) Ive said it in other posts, Kawahi just wanted to go home. Plain and simple. I saw the way Kawahi acted with his teamates, the team in general. How he accepted the city. There was nothing or very little evedince to suggest that Kawahi hated it here. He just wanted to go home. I agree with Masai that if there was a NBA team in Nigeria or Africa, Masai himself probably wouldnt be in TO.

[DIEHARD_005]

The rest of that interview was decent. Good exposure to MU's work with Giants of Africa. Maybe it was already common knowledge, but he mentioned that he funds a lot of that program out of his own pocket - pretty impressive.

Part two is on The National this evening where they go more in depth on the Giants of Africa and the impact it has on the youth there.

[Duffman100]

You know what's ****ing awesome? We won a title.

[tecumseh18]

I have it on mid-level authority that Toronto was always going to be a hard sell, even as the team made the Finals. For one thing, he really hated the weather here.

True but Kawhi was the King of this country. Free apartments, food, plane, cars (Nav) and more. He probably did hate the weather here but half the teams in the NBA have similar weather so that's not insulting. Plus this is a talented team in the east, with great management and fans. If Clippers dropped the ball, I doubt he would feel horrible to come up here and start a dynasty.

I'd have to agree with this. Half of the NBA teams are in parts of North America that are cold and have winter. And some of those teams are in cities that aren't even close to the level of living standards that Toronto has (Utah, Denever, Milwuakee etc) Ive said it in other posts, Kawahi just wanted to go home. Plain and simple. I saw the way Kawahi acted with his teamates, the team in general. How he accepted the city. There was nothing or very little evedince to suggest that Kawahi hated it here. He just wanted to go home. I agree with Masai that if there was a NBA team in Nigeria or Africa, Masai himself probably wouldnt be in TO.

You guys aren't reading me. I had a MLSE-related source who dealt with Larry T. tell me this. Kawhi wasn't coming back to Toronto if he had winning options in LA. And he did. Two of them.

[vbmeer]

Kawhi was not adverse to playing for Toronto one more season and re-evaluating again at the end of that season, even if some have bought full into the "LA as soon as possible, no matter what, plug my fingers into my ears and repeat" narrative.

Toronto was the backup option with the Clippers being the preferred destination if his team composition condition was met. If they had not listened to him and done nothing, he would have been fine using his backup option and running with Toronto for another season and seeing if the Clippers would do anything during the season.

The Lakers were out of it as he total shifted and moved meetings with that organization where only specific members of management were allowed in specific meetings. Isolating Pelinka, isolating Jeanie Buss, and talking to non-Laker employee Magic Johnson. He openly questioned to them why they valued him now, when they didn't value him enough to trade for him, but did so for Anthony Davis. Prioritizing a lunch meeting with Paul George over a built-up wooing meeting with the Lakers brass.

[Danny1616]

Kawhi was not adverse to playing for Toronto one more season and re-evaluating again at the end of that season, even if some have bought full into the "LA as soon as possible, no matter what, plug my fingers into my ears and repeat" narrative.

Toronto was the backup option with the Clippers being the preferred destination if his team composition condition was met. If they had not listened to him and done nothing, he would have been fine using his backup option and running with Toronto for another season and seeing if the Clippers would do anything during the season.

The Lakers were out of it as he total shifted and moved meetings with that organization where only specific members of management were allowed in specific meetings. Isolating Pelinka, isolating Jeanie Buss, and talking to non-Laker employee Magic Johnson. He openly questioned to them why they valued him now, when they didn't value him enough to trade for him, but did so for Anthony Davis. Prioritizing a lunch meeting with Paul George over a built-up wooing meeting with the Lakers brass.

I think so as well.

I think his first priority was LA. I think he really didn't want to join Lebron and preferred being on the Clippers (especially with the Clippers front-office now). However, if the Clippers were not able to add another star I believe that he prob would have signed a 1+1 deal with Toronto, and then go to LA the year after on the condition that they paired him up with another superstar level player.

It's no surprise he was waiting that long to make a decision after free agency. OKC may have decided not to make that deal, but the Clippers gave an unprecedented amount of draft picks and it was done.

Looking back I think the smart move for Kawhi would have been to stay in Toronto for one more year and run it back. He could have capitalized on all the endorsements and following in Canada, have another legit chance at the finals, and then go back to LA anyways. Everyone would have been much happier.

Interestingly, Kawhi only signed a 2 year deal with the Clippers, meaning he has some doubts...and if it doesn't work he might bolt again.

Then the Raptors could have done a full rebuild around Siakim next year with Lowry, Gasol, Fred, Ibaka all expiring.

[team edward]

You know what's ****ing awesome? We won a title.

Yes but it's a wasted asset because in the long run it would have been better to trade him at the deadline for picks. /s

[Johnny Bball]

There's nothing new here. We did everything we could and he wanted to go home. If it was the LA Raptors, he would have stayed.

And that linked article is Clippers propaganda. It was never down to the Lakers and Raptors. It was always the Clippers. Paul George asked for a trade to play with Kawhi on the Clippers (to Presti) before Kawhi even had his known meeting and sat with the Clippers.

[Johnny Bball]

https://www.sports.yahoo.com/amphtml/masai-ujiri-plenty-part-of-kawhi-wanted-to-stay-with-raptors-182141896.html

When NBA Africa launches, Ujiri is gone. He'll be the Commissioner there.

I got that same feeling hearing that. And to make matters worse, the league is expected to start January 2020.

Then it's too late already. He's not leaving here.

[RonaldArtest]

You know what's ****ing awesome? We won a title.

Yes but it's a wasted asset because in the long run it would have been better to trade him at the deadline for picks. /s

Yeah so we could take those accumulated assets and hopefully one day win a championship.

Edit - aaaaand I missed the end of your post, lol

[SHFT]

When NBA Africa launches, Ujiri is gone. He'll be the Commissioner there.

I got that same feeling hearing that. And to make matters worse, the league is expected to start January 2020.

Then it's too late already. He's not leaving here.

yeah too late for this year but I just assumed that the African league a project for the future. 2 years from 2 years away kind of thing.