NBA Rumors: Kawhi not interested in Lakers; Clippers still the favorites?

NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard is reportedly not interested in signing with the Lakers this summer, and it appears the Clippers are still the favorites

The Toronto Raptors are expected to be one of the favorites heading into the NBA Playoffs to come out of the Eastern conference. And a big reason why is because of their blockbuster acquisition of Kawhi Leonard, who is having a great season and has no question lifted the ceiling for this franchise.

However, Kawhi is a free agent after the season and there’s no guarantee that he’s going to be back in Toronto. In fact, there continues to be buzz surrounding Leonard making the move to Los Angeles.

And Kawhi will be at the center of one of the bigger questions heading into this season, no matter how the Raptors’ season ends. But if there has been one constant since the beginning of the Kawhi to LA movement, it’s the fact that he’s not interesting in joining LeBron James and the Lakers. In other words, the Clippers have to be sitting pretty as perhaps the favorite to ink Kawhi this off-season.

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"[via ESPN – Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective]“I do not [think he’s interested in the Lakers]. That’s just what I’ve been told. It’s what I’ve been told going back to last summer. I don’t see that as something that’s happening. I think he goes to the Clippers.”"

This recent report falls in line with what we’ve been hearing regarding Kawhi’s upcoming free agency. The Clippers have always been the landing spot that many insiders have pointed to over the last few months.

But I don’t think we can quite overlook Kawhi re-signing with Toronto. He’s been a great fit with the Raptors this season, and they will be one of the favorites to come out of the East. They have arguably the best talent in the East, and can beat any team on any given night when healthy.

Question is, what has to happen for Kawhi to re-sign in Toronto? Would an Eastern Conference Finals appearance be enough for him to seriously consider the possibility? Would they need to make an NBA Finals?

It’s difficult to tell at this point in the season, but what we do know is that in the even that Kawhi Leonard makes the move to Los Angeles, it won’t be to join the Lakers.