[OhCanada-Participant]

Seems nobody is giving Toronto a chance here. People are saying Kawhi doesnt like the cold as the main reason why he will bolt. Thats dumb just because he’s quiet doesnt mean he’s a child. Or he wants to play in LA. Maybe he does that seems to have been floating around.

But lets just look at what is likely to happen here with him dedicated for one season.

Toronto’s young players continue to improve. Anunoby, Siakam, Van Vleet, Wright, Powell. They were all impressive last year.

 Toronto improves again this year. I mean over the last 5 years they had 48 wins, 49 wins, 56 wins, 51 wins (Lowry hurt half the season) and 59 wins. So lets just say they go for 60 + wins and reach the Finals which is looking like its about a 30%-40% chance of that happening.

Kawhi finally gets to be the man and a star player. He was a star at San Antonio but they really never let him loose. He was always restricted within the offensive sets. Nick Nurse is known as an offensive mastermind and he is once again resetting the offense to cater to Kawhi.

And lets say he actually likes Toronto and our people/community. Spurs have great fans but those big ol churro eatin ladies down in San Antonio arent like how it is in Toronto. Its a different kinda vibe.

Maybe I’m delusional but I actually think Toronto has a very good chance of resigning Kawhi. American media is gonna tell you otherwise and make it seem like Popavich and the Spurs did him dirty sending him up North but they actually did him a solid. 

If Kawhi Leonard resigns to the Toronto Raptors will you be shocked?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Hell no, I wouldn’t be shocked if he does resign in Toronto but those Churros are good man haha. Anyways, he has to committ to this team just so he can get a max next year otherwise he is screwed.

[Miko4rm206Participant]

The Raptors really Don’t have much. I never really been to Fond Of Kyle lowry and They Drafted well but their Young players are more Like Quantity > Quality. I like OG but they don’t really have that 1 young Player with Star potential. Not to mention a Brand New and Unproven coach.

I think he is 80% chance gone to the Lakers. I give the next best shot to the Raptors(10%) over Clippers (5%)and maybe a 5 % chance he joins the 76ers, Knicks etc

I’m sure Toronto has it’s Benefits and Perks and you are Optimistic About the idea as a Raptors fan of Kahwi just falling in love with the city. 2 things it does have going for in retaining Kahwi of course they can pay him more and Toronto Is out of The U.s and Kinda outta sight outta Mind which fits Kawhi’s personality but who knows. Will will have alot better idea when December comes and he gets his 1st chance at the winter up there! Lmfaoo

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I dont know I think this roster is pretty good for a two year window. 2020/2021 everyone is off the books but Powell and Anunoby so if Leonard wanted to form a superteam here while he is 29 years old that option is also available but the team wins games and thats all that really matters.

Ive never been a big fan of Lowry either (other then that one year I had him on my fantasy team he was with Houston averaging close to a triple double before Mchale benched him). But he is a proven Allstar and he makes big shots and knows how to run a team. 

Valanciunas is the best Center in the league playing less than 25 minutes. He’s been used as a niche guy but when he is on the floor he produces as well as anyone and his defence has improved drastically. His playoff stats are impressive. In 24 minutes per game 14.5 points and 10.5 rebounds with 1.5 blocks shooting 55% fg, 40% 3pt, 85% ft. Thats a pretty valuable piece. I expect Nurse to finally unleash Valanciunas this year just incase Kawhi does leave so Toronto can market him in the future.

Siakam and Anunoby are players to look into. Watching Siakam play around 90 full games last year was a treat. Not one moment where he wasnt going 110% and he’s starting to play in control now. Him and Anunoby’s defensive versatility will be a great compliment to Leonards game.

Van Vleet and Wright are a good yin and yang duo. Athletic long penetrating gaurd and big shot making floor general. 

Ibaka, Green, Miles give you veteran presence, shooting and defence.

Doesnt have the big names taking small contracts like Golden State or LA or big time free agents and high draft picks of Boston but the team has been built and developed well and has some ballers that find ways to win. They are also going to very likely have the best record in the NBA next year.

 

 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Kawhi Leonard was allegedly unhappy with his transaction to Toronto, only to buy in to the season now from the recent reports that have been circulating. Just to really reflect on the thought of him actually sticking it out with Toronto and their market to build up his brand isn’t too far-fetched at his point of view because he has Drake behind him more than anyone, which is enough validation to boost his face-card.

 If you are opposed to this message; riddle me this…

What happened to Paul George heading home to Los Angeles?

[mcbaileyParticipant]

 As long as Kawhi keeps letting the people around him make his decisions for him, which seems to be what every report about his "camp" indicates, he seems destined to land in LA. 

 

That said, the team as presently constructed has promise, especially defensively. If they perform to that potential, I think he should stay.

 

 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 w/ San Antonio just to stay in Toronto. 

Now for his career, staying in Toronto might actually be a great move b/c the Raptors are still a Very good team capable of competing for the Eastern Conference Title & a birth in the NBA Finals 

Kawhi is just entering his Prime & he could really establish himself in that Eastern Conference which right now is Boston, Toronto & Philadelphia at the Top & Kawhi could be the difference maker

That being said, a year goes by So fast & Kawhi just pulled a Major Power move against one of the most established Franchises in the entire NBA & thru his people he has been Very clear that he wants to be LA – I think it’s 50 / 50 Clippers or Lakers – but I just can not see Kawhi going thru all this to end up in Toronto (no offense to the Great city of Toronto)

 

 

 

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 Does he get paid in canadian money just wondering? I live in Canada and canadian money aint worth shit in the US. Cost me around 520 canadian bucks to get 400 USD.. How exactly does that work? 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Players get paid in U.S. dollars but they have to pay taxes where they play. Federal, provincial/state and city taxes. Thats the problem and despite what people say most places in the U.S. really dont have as big an issue as Toronto. California is bad too.

  Kyle Lowry only made $15 million last year. Steph Curry only made $18 million last year. 

[iCalledBankParticipant]

players get taxed based on where the game is played, even away games… for instance any team traveling to cali, for that game check they will get "jock taxed." States w/ no income tax dont use the jock tax

[cohenbc1Participant]

 I think you make some good points — I like the way Toronto has developed its young guys while keeping the veteran core together, and if Leonard is healthy and mentally engaged he’s an upgrade from DeRozan. 

One nitpick: the Spurs did, in fact, turn him loose. In the second half of 2016-17, through to the first game of the conference finals when Pachulia took Leonard out,  Pop increasingly just let Kawhi go iso. It reminded me of watching some of the unstoppable wing scorers in the ’80s, like Bernard King or Dominique.

 

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I don’t get the whole "threatening to not play because I don’t want to go there" thing.  I don’t know what’s going on in his head obviously.  I get he’s frustrated and doesn’t want to go to Toronto.  The way I look at it is you get paid millions and millions of dollars to play a sports. Guys don’t get to pick where they play.  The NBA is a business.  I’m pretty sure the trade wasn’t personal.  It’s easy for me to say because I’m not a multi-millionaire, but I think athletes need to learn some humility.  Big f’ing deal if Kawhi doesn’t like the cold.  Be a professional and show up and play.  It’s not like he was traded to some bottom-feeder with no hopes of winning.  Toronto is a good team with a passionate and loyal basketball fan base.  It’s a gorgeous city.  Kawhi, shut your mouth and just go out and play.  

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 To be fair, I haven’t heard one piece of evidence that Leonard actually threatened to sit out this season. That was more speculation by the media that he could threaten to do that because they knew Toronto wasn’t his preferred destination. The media can basically make up any narrative they want as long as they claim to have an “anonymous source” to corroborate it. Leonard isn’t stupid. If he sits out he loses 20 million and could lose his free agency rights as well. As long as he is healthy, every indication is that he intends to play next season.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

People are always going to speculate but the truth is that nobody really knows what is going on in kawhis head. While it would certainly seem like he wants to be in LA right now, a whole lot can change in a year. Maybe he hits it off really well with his teammates and coach, likes the city and fan base in Toronto, and decides that the easier path to the finals would be through the eastern conference. Maybe the extra year and money Toronto can offer will be enough to convince him. Maybe he really doesn’t want to play second fiddle to lebron. Or maybe he does and none of that matters. If I had to guess right now I’d say the lakers would seem to be his most likely long-term landing spot, but I can’t say for sure that I’m at all confident in that prediction. One thing I know is that toronto wouldn’t have made this trade if they didn’t think they had a chance to resign him, and they will definitely go all out to convince him. And I think there is definitely a realistic chance it could work.

[OhCanada-Participant]

“People are always going to speculate but the truth is that nobody really knows what is going on in kawhis head.”

Nobody knows what actually happened. Everything is just speculation. Of course ESPN is gonna say the only teams in play are LA, LA, New York and Brooklyn. Those are the media hubs. Not saying that the LA rumors are false Im just saying every player that demanded a trade or was a free agent in the past 10 years (probably longer) was rumored to have interest in New York and LA.

I personally have a theory that Kawhi was upset for being shut down in the playoffs when Pachulia injured him in the Western Finals. Leonard wanted to play and Popavich made him sit out which was probably for the best but I remember Kawhi voicing his opinion and saying he wanted to play through his injury.

Truth is though Kawhi keeps his circle small and nothing usually leaks through the Spurs front office. Hell it took a very long time before we realized he wasnt even returning this year, Spurs fans had hopes he would be suiting up in the Playoffs.

Who knows, maybe Toronto was on a list of teams he would actually suit up for. Its all speculation but if ESPN wants to make shit up I can too.

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

 Torontos not even the northern most city with an nba team. Am I right?

[Scrooge McDuckParticipant]

 Minneapolis is north of Toronto and Portland is about equal. I think kawhi will stay in Toronto 

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