Kawhi Leonard Declines Player Option with the Raptors; But Don’t Count Toronto Out of the Mix
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Raptor Kawhi Leonard has declined his $21.3 million player option and will become a free agent this offseason.
Leonard’s options including re-signing with the Raptors for five years and $190 million or signing with another franchise for a max of four years and $140 million.
Many think that the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard’s hometown team, will be the favorites to land Leonard, but champion Raptors are still favored to re-sign the 2019 Finals MVP, according to rival executives.
“The appeal of returning home to Southern California is enticing to the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, but with the trust the Raptors built while Leonard led the franchise to its first NBA title by upsetting the Golden State Warriors, rival executives view his current team as the favorite to land him when the free-agent negotiating period begins June 30, sources said.”
The 27-year-old averaged a career-high in points (26.6) and rebounds (7.3) and was the biggest force for the team to not only get to the Finals, but take out the Golden State Warriors in six games.
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