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NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard still prefers to sign with Clippers or Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

NBA Rumors: Despite being traded to the Toronto Raptors, Kawhi Leonard still prefers to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers or Lakers next summer

The Toronto Raptors may have won the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes a a few weeks ago, but it’s certainly not finished. In fact, the real battle for Leonard will come in a few months, when he officially becomes an unrestricted free agency after the 2018-19 season.

Kawhi reportedly wanted to be traded to one of the Los Angeles teams. The San Antonio Spurs refused to play ball with him – mostly because he refused to play for them – and he was eventually dealt to Toronto – an entirely different country – for DeMar DeRozan.

It’s certainly a risky play for the Raptors, considering that he only has one year remaining on his current contract. However, they must feel strong about their ability to get him to re-sign next summer.

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Not so fast, though. Because according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Leonard still prefers to sign with one of the Los Angeles teams when he hits free agency next summer.

"[via ESPN]So far, Leonard’s preference is to sign in Los Angeles with either the Lakers or Clippers next season, sources told Wojnarowski."

This was always going to be the battle for Toronto. They knew that before they made the move for the all-star. They haven’t even entered camp, and there are already whispers beginning to surface. I can’t imagine how loud these will get if the Raptors struggle out of the gate or if Kawhi says something even semi-controversial.

The Kawhi saga may have been paused for a while, but I don’t think there’s anyone that believes it’s entirely over.

Toronto won the battle, but the war for one of the best players in the NBA, on both sides of the ball, when he’s healthy is far from over. Question is, who should feel like the favorite? The team that will have him over the course of an entire season, or one of the two Los Angeles teams?

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