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NBA Off-Season Discussion

Kin

Active member
Well, it's probably going to be one of the most eventful NBA off-seasons ever with a once in a generation looking top draft pick, some huge free agents and our World Champion Toronto Raptors faced with the task of either re-signing Kawhi or figuring something else out. Thought it'd be good to have a place to talk about it.

Because the first big shoe dropped. Anthony Davis, after asking for a trade and making it clear he would only re-sign with the Lakers, gets his wish. Going to New Orleans are Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, some other guy and 3 firsts including the #4 in the draft.
 
Just to be clear, Zion Williamson has nothing to do with the #4 pick as he'll be taken with the #1 pick that the Pelicans also have.

For newcomers, the upcoming NBA draft is generally seen to have a clear cut top 3 with Williamson, Ja Morant and local kid RJ Barrett generally assumed to be going in that order. After that, the #4 pick is a bit of a crap shoot.
 
Toronto Raptors choose #59 (Second Round)...C Dewan Hernandez.

[tweet]1141949223568576513[/tweet]

More about him here:
https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/person-interest-raptors-no-59-pick-dewan-hernandez/
 
I signed the petition to persuade Kawhi to stay.


Kawhi I want you to stay because...
...I appreciate your perseverance, leadership, and fortitude this season as a Toronto Raptor.  You wore your heart on your sleeve and being an NBA champion made it complete.

As a Torontonian, I say thank you for bringing so much joy to our city.

As a Canadian, I say welcome to Canada again and again and again.

I hope you stay and I wish you many more fruitful years, in making Toronto the centre of the basketball universe.

Good luck!

Lora.

See here:
http://kawhiushouldstay.com/
 
Giannis wins the MVP, Siakim is MIP, Sweet Lou Williams is 6Man, Gobert is DPOY, Doncic is ROY, Budenholzer is Coach of the Year.
 
Kawhi declines option and will go the free agency route.  According to sources...

[tweet]1142935881835089920[/tweet]


https://www.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/report-raptors-favourites-re-sign-kawhi-leonard/
 
Teams of interest:  who can sign, offer, and entice Leonard:

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2837931-board-man-gets-paid-landing-spots-for-free-agent-and-champion-kawhi-leonard#slide1
 
Marc Gasol decided to exercise his option so he's coming back next year. This is really good news for the Raps regardless of what Kawhi does.
 
Kawhi gets set for meetings:

[tweet]1144318594374885376[/tweet]

Uh, oh.

The Athletic?s Sam Amick claims that while there are many scenarios surrounding the potential future destination for Leonard, the one strong possibility high up on the list is the forward landing in Los Angeles with the Clippers alongside fellow free agent Jimmy Butler. The NBA expert claims that the two-time defensive player of the year is keen to have the Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard/small forward as his ?running mate? next season.


https://www.ibtimes.com/raptors-get-final-meeting-slot-kawhi-forward-wants-butler-pairing-2803587
 
Around the league:

The Klay Thompson saga...

[tweet]1144410440706846720[/tweet]


Kevin Durant & co.:

[tweet]1143906064779362306[/tweet]

[tweet]1144073295219908608[/tweet]
 
And...

There has been speculation that Leonard might be the outlier in the rush to secure max deals this summer by signing a shorter-term contract with the Toronto Raptors, thereby giving him a chance to chase another championship or two but still leave open a return in his prime to his hometown of Los Angeles.

...most executives expect him to sign a full five-year, $190 million deal if he decides to stay with Toronto. The latest indications are that the combination of winning a championship and a $50 million-plus difference in what he'd make has moved the Raptors past the Clippers as the favourites.


https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2843055-nba-sources-steph-the-kd-x-factor-tobias-butler-may-bolt-kawhi-wants-to-stay
 
Huge Day for the Brooklyn Nets. They're going to sign Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and DeAndre Jordan.

Now, they still probably won't have all three on the same court until November, 2020 but it's still a big deal.
 
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