According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the LA Clippers are still at the top of Kawhi Leonard’s free agency list this summer.
The dust hasn’t even settled on the Toronto Raptors NBA Finals win last night, yet free agency rumors have already begun to pop up. Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, reportedly still has the LA Clippers at the top of his preferred destination list.
This news came via Adrian Wojnarowski today on SportsCenter.
"…there was always the risk of him going back west. The L.A. Clippers are at the very top of that list, and I think the Raptors still have work to do between now and June 30 and the start of free agency to keep Kawhi Leonard in Toronto.”"
If Woj’s report is to be believed, then both parties have each other circled. Doubt crept into the Clipper fan base about actually landing Kawhi this summer after his historic postseason run took the Raptors to the NBA Finals. With each victory in The Finals, it seemed less and less likely he would leave Toronto.
A departure from Canada, although a little surprising, would make sense. Earlier today, Garrett Chorpenning outlined three reasons that leaving the Raptors for the Clippers make sense. The biggest reason it might make sense? Masai Ujiri may also be on the way out.
Right after Game 6 ended, Woj reported that the Washington Wizards were prepared to offer Ujiri a massive deal to come work in their front office. If he does depart, Leonard may lose faith in the Raptors long-term.
As Woj stated, free agency opens up officially on June 30 at 6pm EST. Kawhi Leonard is the best available free agent on the board with Kevin Durant likely sidelined for all of next season, so all eyes will be on him.
It’s a good sign that Woj is hearing the LA Clippers are still topping his list, but nothing is guaranteed in this league. The Raptors have access to Kawhi from now until the 30th that the Clips just don’t. When they do finally get the opportunity to court him, LA will have to bring everything they have to the table.