Rumor: Kawhi Leonard will meet with LA Clippers on July 2
According to rumors, the LA Clippers will reportedly get their meeting with top free agent forward Kawhi Leonard on July 2.
The LA Clippers have been targeting two-way superstar Kawhi Leonard practically all season long, and now, the team will finally get their meeting with one of the best players in basketball — which is rumored to come on July 2.
According to The Athletic‘s Frank Isola, the date for Leonard’s meeting with the Clippers has been set on July 2, two days after the NBA’s free agency period officially begins on June 30. It hasn’t been stated, but based off the date of his meeting with LA, it seems safe to assume that Leonard will meet with the Toronto Raptors on July 1.
This may give us a timeframe to anticipate for Leonard’s decision. Depending on how many other meetings the 27-year-old will take, we should look for the announcement to come sometime from July 5-10.
Barring any changes from now until the beginning of free agency, the Clippers and Raptors are expected to be the two teams that Leonard will consider most heavily. Outside of those two, Leonard could also meet with the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks are projected to have more cap space than almost any other team this summer, and with lofty goals of becoming a title contender once again sooner rather than later, it makes sense why Leonard is in their plans.
For a majority of the season, the Knicks have targeted Kevin Durant to take over as the franchise’s best player. But after he suffered a season-ending and potentially career-altering injury in the NBA Finals, it appears their plans may have changed.
The Nets, on the other hand, have made Durant a priority, along with superstar point guard Kyrie Irving. They’re favored to land Durant as of now, and Irving is expected to sign there as well. But if that plan goes awry, Leonard could certainly make the Nets a contender in the short-term.
The 76ers are considered to be the long shot of the group, with plenty of other decisions to make regarding the contracts of Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris as soon as free agency begins. Philadelphia will also be unable to offer the same amenities that a team based in Los Angeles or New York can, so it seems very unlikely that he’d sign there.
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We still don’t have a clue as to what Kawhi Leonard’s decision will be come the beginning of the month, but it’s easy to maintain confidence in the LA Clippers’ brilliant front office.