As the Toronto Raptors prepare to make their first-ever NBA Finals appearance, the elephant in the room that is Kawhi Leonard‘s impending free agency still looms large.
When free agency rolls around this upcoming July, Leonard will make a decision on where he’ll spend the prime years of his basketball career. And once that time arrives, we’ll all find out whether a Raptors’ Finals run wound up being enough to convince the 2014 Finals MVP to sign long-term, or if the hometown lure of playing for the Los Angeles Clippers or joining another franchise proved too intriguing to pass up.
At the time of his trade to Toronto last summer, Leonard potentially staying north of the border felt like a pipe dream, as he reportedly wasn’t thrilled at the idea of playing for the Raptors. But according to recent comments from Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson (widely regarded as Uncle Dennis), those feelings had nothing to do with the city itself.
“When you are initially traded somewhere you didn’t [ask] to be, you don’t want to accept it,” Robertson told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes. “But once you get through that period, the focus then turns to giving your all and performing at a high level. It never had anything to do with the city of Toronto. It wasn’t. Toronto is a beautiful city. Kawhi has often spoke highly of Toronto. It’s a beautiful place. That was just an initial reaction, which is normal. But we’re enjoying this run and looking forward to the Finals.”
Robertson added that the all-NBA forward and his camp aren’t focused on free agency, especially with the chance for Leonard to capture a second career Larry O’Brien Trophy just four wins away.
“We have a championship opportunity in front of us. We’re not thinking about free agency; it’s the Warriors [right now],” said Robertson. “Once we get through the season, we’ll turn our attention to free agency. But we’re just having fun right now. This has been a great year.”