To make things clear, Kawhi Leonard does not owe the City of Toronto, Nation of Canada, Drake, or the Raptors organization anything at all. Being the man responsible for bringing a country its very first Larry O'Brien Trophy and NBA glory is more than enough to repay last summer's blockbuster trade with the Spurs that sent away long-beloved team posterchild, Demar Derozan. Kawhi has all the freedom and power in the world to walk away from the Raptors and move on to new opportunities, whether that be with a franchise in Los Angeles or even the New York Knicks. Toronto simply cannot be mad at a man who is responsible for leading them to their first NBA championship if the times comes for him to move on.
However, maybe a return to Toronto is the right move for Kawhi…
Money & Health
If it comes down to the aspect of money, Kawhi will have an easy choice to make. The Raptors are in a position to be able to offer $50 million more than any other team if he decides to go down the route of a five year max contract. That top of the line deal would hold a value of almost $190 million, as opposed to the max slots offered by others (4yr/$140mil). More money and more long term security is something the Raptors hold over any other team who are trying to lure him away from Canada. Although a long term commitment to Toronto would ride him past the prime years of his career and limit his freedom going forward, leaving that much money on that table would be quite hard.
Another additional factor to the Raptors pitch to Kawhi comes in the form of their injury management and system of rest. Coming off a blank 2018 season that saw him sidelined with a thigh(?) injury, Toronto's staff managed Kawhi's workload to perfection. Sitting out a total of fourteen games and following through with this pattern of periodical rest, ensured to Leonard that the organization was dedicated to both his short and long-term health.
Team & Title(s)
Going into the 2019/2020 season, Toronto returns virtually the same team as year's past, a roster which managed to beat Golden State and claim an NBA Championship. This ability to bring back the core of its world-beating team is an enticing option to anyone when viewing the Raptors as a potential destination, let alone for its newly crowned team leader in Kawhi. If he opts to come back to Canada, no matter the length of the deal, the Raptors are in an immediate position to contend for another title next year.
Key figures such as Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet, and Norman Powell remain under contract and are projected to return to the 2019/2020 team. While Lowry (33) and Gasol (34) are aging with their production dropping off fast (Gasol in particular), they still can provide crucial minutes come playoff time as shown this past year. Younger players such as VanVleet and Siakam experienced breakout seasons in 2019, showing the potential to serve as vital first team pieces. Siakam in particular has displayed the ability to turn into an All-Star level player sooner than expected, utilizing his length, athleticism, and high motor on both ends of the floor. The possible re-addition of Kawhi to an already filled out roster would only cement the Raptors as championship favorites next year and possibly even beyond.
Fans & Environment
Toronto is fresh off a championship parade that attracted up to two million crazed and committed fans to the city center. Also just finished up a victorious playoff run that saw sold out crowds for every single game at the Scotiabank Arena with an entire nation following as well (see Jurassic Park gatherings across Canada).The Raptors fanbase is energized and committed to the current state of this team, in a way unlike any other NBA organization and its supporters. At the center of all of this success and hype has been Kawhi (not Drake), made to be the number one man on his team and throughout the country. Leaving this situation for a team such as the Clippers who have never won a NBA title and reside as the eternal little-brother in their hometown, or the Knicks who are a shell of their once glorious past still inhabiting the Garden, would be a mistake to say the least. On top of all that, Kawhi has promises of free places to stay, free food and drink, free rides, and much more in the city of Toronto through such efforts as the "Ka'wine & Dine."
The One Man Show?
Speculation around Kawhi Leonard's upcoming free agency decision has centered around an unconfirmed desire to lead a team solo, leaving Toronto to form a one man show. In a sense, this would become achievable with both the Clippers and Knicks as they do not currently posses any real stars on either roster, but at what price? Moving to the Clippers would keep Kawhi as the second fiddle in his new city to Anthony Davis and Lebron James while a relocation to the Knicks would be a light dampening to a long-lasting dumpster fire.
In Toronto, Kawhi is the man. It is no longer Kyle Lowry. It sure is not aging Marc Gasol. Demar Derozan is all but forgotten about. Maybe one day it could be Pascal Siakam. But for right now, in the prime of his career and the apex of his powers, Kawhi is the clear cut numero uno. Fresh off a Finals MVP and stellar comeback season, he showed to the fans of Toronto and the league that he is able to start anew away from San Antonio and remain in the top flight of the league.
Possible Contract
Much talk surrounding Leonard's upcoming decision has been based on the concept of a one and one type contract being signed with Toronto, akin to deals of Durant and Lebron James of years past. This contract structure, which offers one guaranteed year with a player option for the second, would allow him a multitude of possibilities. For one, it would enable him to maximize his salary number each and every year, opting out after the first summer to gain the highest amount possible as allowed by cap rules. As well as a gigantic salary, Kawhi would be able to maintain a great deal of freedom for future plans and aspirations. Only signing for what is essentially a year at a time keeps him from being tied down or any long term commitments should things fall apart up north. A one and one would also allow Kawhi to return to a team poised at making another run at a championship in 2020.
This team is in position to make another run at a Larry O'Brien, but it begins and ends with Leonard hopping back on board. Maybe the five year max deal is not the long term commitment Kawhi is after, but being able to bring him back for even one year would push this Raptors team into the number one spot going into next season and help further popularize the game of basketball in Canada.
