Re-ranking the LA Clippers’ top free agent threats before June 30
No. 1: Toronto Raptors
Projected cap room: You know the drill
Despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ and the LA Clippers’ best efforts, the Toronto Raptors are still the favorites to re-sign the most prized free agent available this summer. That’s all it takes to earn the top spot on our rankings, since Leonard staying up North would interfere most directly with LA’s plans.
Last time we did these rankings, the Raptors held the first spot as well, but they’ve pushed their lead further out from the rest of the crowd since then. Now NBA champions for the first time in franchise history, they’ll enter the upcoming season as favorites to repeat, assuming Leonard stays.
In short, the Raptors have made the best pitch they possibly can to keep Leonard in Toronto. They won a title in his first season with the franchise, they won it as a team, and the ownership has made it clear that they intend to do the same again next season. All it really comes down to at this point is what Leonard wants to do, and while it’s impossible to say exactly what he’ll do, it feels increasingly likely that he’ll return, at least for one season.
If Leonard does choose to leave, I would still consider the Clippers to be above the Lakers in terms of a favorite. They can still offer Leonard the chance to play with a teammate of his choosing, they’ve got a supporting cast very similar to that of Toronto’s, and are a far more competent franchise. He’s also a better fit for the Clippers’ culture than that of the Lakers, but that’s something we’ve hit on several times now.
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No one knows what Leonard is going to do this summer, but if he does choose to come to the LA Clippers, it would easily be the best free agent signing in franchise history. And if it doesn’t happen, well, we wish him the best on whichever team he does end up on. Regardless, Board Man is going to get paid.