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Three reasons why Kawhi Leonard won’t join the LA Clippers this summer

By Ryan Snellings

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kyle Lowry #7 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a portrait with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kyle Lowry #7 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a portrait with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors talks to the media during a press conference with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jack Arent/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors talks to the media during a press conference with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jack Arent/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Now that Kawhi Leonard has won a title in Toronto, attention has shifted to his free agency status. Here are three reasons why he won’t join the LA Clippers.

The Toronto Raptors are your new NBA champions! The trade for possibly one season of Kawhi Leonard worked out in the best way imaginable and now all eyes will turn to his free agency decision. Does this title run mean the LA Clippers are no longer the favorites to land his services?

With cap space for one max level free agent and the ability to create another, the Clippers are looking to be big players in free agency this summer. The intended pursuit of Kawhi Leonard has been no secret with front office members attending his games and even accusations of tampering against Doc Rivers.

For a while, it seemed like Leonard to the Clippers was a foregone conclusion. Yes, Toronto looked good, but not many saw this type of run. Leonard, who only appeared in 60 games, had one of the best playoff runs in NBA history.

After hitting an incredible buzzer beater to knock off the Philadelphia 76ers, doubt began to set in for Clipper Nation. We briefly had hope restored that he would give up on this experiment after the Raptors fell behind 2-0 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals, but the Raps rallied and rattled off four straight to advance.

Last night’s victory sealed the championship and Finals MVP for Leonard. Neither ever really felt in doubt after watching the first game of the series. This is all to say, I don’t think Kawhi leaves Toronto.

Let’s take a look at three reasons.

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