Rumors surrounding the potential landing spot for reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard will not die down ahead of free agency next month.
What we do know is that most around the Association believe that it’s between Leonard’s current Toronto Raptors team and his hometown Los Angeles Clippers.
Even then, the New York Knicks continue to pop up as a potential destination. Despite struggles over the past several years and a talent-stricken roster, the lure of New York City seems to be there for Leonard.
According to Ian Begley of SNY, that’s as true now as it ever was.
“People around Leonard saw New York as a potential destination for him when he was orchestrating a trade from San Antonio,” Begley reported. “And some people around Leonard still see New York as a potential destination for the two-way star, per league sources.”
After adding potential franchise cornerstone R.J. Barrett with the third pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, New York has roughly $70 million in cap room. The team can add two max-contract players with that space.
A west coast guy, it’s not 100 percent known if Leonard likes the idea of playing in the east coast metropolis. Though, there’s been suggestions in the past that he doesn’t want to share the Los Angeles market with LeBron James.
As it stands right now, the Clippers and Raptors have to be seen as favorites to land Leonard. Though, the number of potential suitors that he’ll consider include the Knicks, Nets, Sixers and potentially the Lakers.