Kawhi Leonard to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers
Two-time NBA Finals MVP and noted "fun guy" Kawhi Leonard will sign with the Los Angeles Clippers according to multiple news reports including ESPN.
This, after what feels like a million years of waiting for the superstar athlete to choose between all the teams vying for his name on their roster next season.
Kawhi told his Raptors teammates by text that he was leaving just as the news was of the move was breaking, I'm told.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) July 6, 2019
Leonard, who became a free agent on June 30 shortly after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship, was traded from the San Antonio Spurs for DeMar DeRozan last summer.
He quickly won the hearts of local fans with his quirky personality and outrageous basketball skills.
If I’m the Raps I never allow another player to wear jersey # 2 again . Without Kawhi they don’t win a title. Don’t be upset Raptors fans. Do not boo him. Celebrate a title. Celebrate greatness and now more than ever be a true Canadian !
— chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) July 6, 2019
To wit: He scored 732 points in this year's playoff series alone, bested only by Michael Jordan and LeBron James for scoring the most points in a single postseason, and says things like "board man gets paid" as trash talk on the court.
The Clippers did it. The Raptors won a title. They did everything right. And it’s nobody’s fault that Kawhi left.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 6, 2019
The news of the signing was reported early Saturday morning by ESPN. Leonard's new deal is for four years and $142 million.
He chose less money than what he could have gotten with the Raptors who were able to offer $190 million over five years.
Our #KawhiWatch has ended. #ThankYouKawhi for the NBA championship that you helped to bring to Toronto with your @Raptors teammates. #ThanksKawhi #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/04fVCECnIw
— John Tory (@JohnTory) July 6, 2019
Separately, the Clippers swung a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to acquire All-Star Paul George.
