Durant Explains Leonard-DeRozan Trade Rationale, Kawhi Still Wants LA Move

Kawhi Leonard was the second most sought after player this NBA off-season after LeBron James. The former had requested for a trade from the San Antonio Spurs, but his now former employers were keen to ensure they got the better end of the deal before allowing him to leave.

James joined the Los Angeles Lakers after becoming an unrestricted free agent after the June 30 deadline passed, but Leonard was still contracted to Spurs for another year, so they were not forced to do a deal with the first interested franchise.

The small forward was keen to join the Lakers, but James’ current employers were not willing to make a trade deal and instead opted to wait until next summer when Leonard becomes a free agent. However, Leonard was keen to leave this season and got his wish when the Spurs accepted a trade offer from the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors parted with their all-time top scorer DeMar DeRozan, which was a shock move — to land Leonard for the final-year of his contract. The Toronto franchise are now one of the favorites to make the NBA Finals from the Eastern Conference.

However, the Raptors are still not certain if they will have Leonard in the long-term as he can leave the franchise when he becomes a free agent in 2019. They are hoping they can convince him to stay beyond his current one-year deal, but according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski the two-time NBA defensive player of the year is still pining for a move to Los Angeles next summer.

Initially it was clear the trade was not to the liking of both Leonard and DeRozan — but the former is said to be warming to the idea of playing for the Raptors next season. However, the franchise is still some way off from convincing the 2014 NBA Finals MVP to commit his long-term future to the team.

“The one thing I was told today, he’s starting to warm to the idea that he’s going to a contender,” Wojnarowski said, as quoted by the Express.

“He’s got a team that can be as good as anybody in the Eastern Conference, and now it’s on Toronto to try to recruit him, keep him. But, in his mind right now, he’s headed to L.A. next year,” he added.

Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant said the Leonard-DeRozan trade will be beneficial for both players in the long run despite the latter being upset about it initially.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP believes DeRozan will prosper under the guidance of Spurs coach Gregg Popovic, while Leonard on the other hand will get his chance to lead a team like he wanted.

“Nothing in the NBA shocks me when it comes to business. I’m excited that Kawhi was able to do what he wanted to do,” Durant said, as per the Express.

“I know DeMar was a little upset about the move but I think in the long run it’s going to be great for basketball and for both of those guys,” he added. “Kawhi getting an opportunity to control his own team from the small four position and do the stuff he wanted to do in his last few years at San Antonio.”

“He’ll get to showcase that in Toronto and I think DeMar is going to work great with coach Pop and just bringing out the best in him. So it worked out well for both sides I thought.”