NBA Rumors: Kawhi Leonard To The Clippers? Raptors Star Addresses Speculation

While the rest of the NBA is embroiled in the Anthony Davis rumor mill, another superstar who plays north of the border has also been linked to a team in Los Angeles. LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer appeared courtside at Sunday’s game between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors in Toronto, prompting more speculation that his team could court Raptors star Kawhi Leonard in the offseason.

Reporters asked Leonard about his plans when he becomes a free agent after the season, but as he has throughout this season, he kept quiet about his future.

Leonard has focused entirely on this season when asked about 2019 and beyond, and it makes sense. The Raptors are 1.5 games back from the Milwaukee Bucks for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, and Leonard himself is having an outstanding season. He is averaging 27.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game, while shooting 49.9 percent from the floor and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.

He is also a good defender, and is expected to be a hot commodity on the free agent market this summer. The 27-year-old Los Angeles native has been repeatedly linked to either the Clippers or Lakers, but the Clippers in particular seem to be aggressive in their courtship of Leonard.

The Clippers reportedly send team employees to Raptors games on a regular basis and are expected to make a pitch to Leonard in the offseason. At 29-25 with two max contract slots potentially available, the Clippers could be an appealing destination for Leonard, who recently purchased a home in southern California.

With a talented core that includes upcoming free agent Tobias Harris, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, the addition of Leonard could make them Western Conference contenders.