NBA Rumors: The Toronto Raptors are reportedly feeling increasingly confident about their ability to re-sign Kawhi Leonard this summer
Even after the San Antonio Spurs traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, many still expected that the perennial all-star would still find his way to Los Angeles (where he reportedly wanted to be) sooner rather than later.
Later is now roughly three months away, and there are still many that believe Kawhi will sign with Los Angeles when he becomes a free agent during the summer. But with the season that Kawhi has had in Toronto, that may come as a bit of a surprise.
In his first season with the Raptors, Kawhi has helped lead Toronto to the second-best record in the conference while posting his best career numbers to date – averaging 27 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game on 50 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.
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And according to a recent report, the great season that Kawhi and the Raptors are turning in this year has some front office officials feeling good about their prospects or re-signing Kawhi this summer.
"[via TSN]Behind the scenes, many Toronto Raptors officials have become increasingly confident in the team’s chances of re-signing Kawhi Leonard this summer, sources tell TSN."
If this report is accurate, it wouldn’t be all that surprising. We’ve seen this before, most recently with Paul George, the Thunder and Los Angeles. PG made it clear he wanted to play for Los Angeles, but then was traded to OKC and loved it so much that he elected against Los Angeles and signed long-term with the Thunder this past summer.
We could see the same with Kawhi, if this report is accurate and that the Raptors have a better than realized shot at re-signing their superstar.
Kawhi Leonard will no question be one of the most sought after free agents this summer, but at this point you’d have to consider the Raptors as one of the favorites when free agency begins.