Kawhi Leonard Rumors: Positive Development For Raptors Keeping Star Beyond 2019

Kawhi Leonard is reportedly not against the idea of staying with the Toronto Raptors beyond 2019 when his contract expires.

According to Jabari Young of the San Antonio Express-News, appearing on TSN Radio, the new Raptors signing will keep an "open mind" about potentially staying amid rumors of a move to the Los Angeles Lakers next summer.

"Based off of me talking to people within his circle, they’re going to go into this thing with an open mind and give this thing every last opportunity to work," Young said, as quoted on NBC Sports. "And at the end of the day, if that’s the case, then it would be great if he stays."

"Obviously, I think part of his mind, yes, let’s keep real: I think he still feels like L.A. might be the destination. At the same time, he plans to go into this thing with an open mind, giving it every single shot in the world to make it work," Young added.

Leonard asked for a move away from the San Antonio Spurs earlier this summer, with his preferred destination being Los Angeles. The Lakers were extremely interested in adding him to the roster alongside LeBron James, however, San Antonio were demanding a number of their young prospects along with future draft picks.

The 28-year-old would eventually sign on with the Toronto Raptors in a deal that saw the latter trade away their star player in DeMar DeRozan — an extremely risky deal for the franchise. With Leonard being able to enter free agency next year, signing him could be nothing more than a one-year rental, however, Raptors president Masai Ujiri is confident he can convince him to stay beyond 2019.

"Our team. Our culture. Our city. Our ownership," Ujiri said in a press conference after the signing of Leonard last month. "We have everything here except a championship."

Young's news about Leonard keeping an open mind notably comes a couple of days after ESPN reported that the Raptors were signing Spurs staffer Jeremy Castleberry to a coaching role.

Castleberry not only worked with Leonard in San Antonio, but is also a friend of his, with the duo having played alongside each other in high school and at San Diego State, and his arrival will not hurt Toronto's chances of keeping their new star.

As mentioned by Young though, Los Angeles is still Leonard's ideal location as ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported the Lakers and Clippers are the current favorites.

According to ESPN, Leonard could sign a four-year, $141 million deal with a new team in 2019, provided they have the right amount of cap space. If he stays with Toronto though, he is eligible to receive a five-year, $190 million contract.

For now, Leonard could make his debut for the Raptors when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Oct. 17 in the franchise's first game of the 2018/19 regular season.