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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 reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals for the Championship 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals for the Championship 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason Three: Kawhi Won A Championship

I mean, this is the most obvious reason of all, right? The man just won a championship. I think at the level of competitiveness that these players are, winning The Finals would be one heck of a reason to want to stay.

Yes, this touches back on reason one about his fit with the roster, but there is so much more to it. This championship was special. Kawhi was sent to a team that he had absolutely no initial desire to join and did the toughest thing possible in the league. He won.

He won for an entire country that had never had an NBA championship nor had they had any major sports championship since 1993. Canada has fully embraced The Klaw and once he parades through the streets in a couple of days, I don’t know how those emotions don’t take over even for someone who shows as little emotion as he does.

No, there’s no guarantee they’ll even be back in The Finals next season. Philadelphia will be back. Milwaukee will be back. There are teams like Brooklyn who could pose a threat if things break their way. Still, the East is arguably weaker than the West still and a repeat could happen.

Bringing back-to-back championships to an entire country would be extremely special.

dark. Next. Three Reasons Kawhi Will Join The Clippers

When they traded for Kawhi, many thought only a championship would convince him to stay. Here we are on the day after the Raptors were named the champions and it seems like hope for this summer has been squashed.

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