Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors runs down the floor in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 2019. Rob Carr/Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard has arguably been the best player in the 2019 NBA playoffs, making his impending free agency even more noteworthy. The Toronto Raptors’ star could make someone an immediate championship contender if he heads elsewhere this summer.

Several teams will be vying for Leonard. The New York Knicks can offer him the chance to play with another star since they'll have enough space under the salary cap to give out two max contracts. The Brooklyn Nets should have at least one max slot available after making the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers, who Leonard has torched in four second-round postseason games, also could have money to spend, depending on what happens with Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler in free agency.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski noted on “Get Up” Monday morning that Leonard might take meetings with the Knicks, Nets and 76ers, but the No.1 NBA Insider believes it's really a two-team race for the star forward.

For most of the season, the Los Angeles Clippers have been viewed as the favorites to sign Leonard. The Los Angeles Lakers are a possible destination because of Leonard's well-documented desire to be in L.A., but it's been reported on multiple occasions that he prefers not to play alongside LeBron James.

Then there is Toronto, who can offer Leonard the most money. If the Raptors go on to make a deep postseason run, the team might also offer him the best chance to win.

Toronto won 58 games in the regular season, putting them behind only the Milwaukee Bucks for the league's best record. The Raptors are two victories away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, though their current playoff run probably hasn't helped the team's chances of keeping their best player.

Leonard has gotten little support from his teammates, carrying Toronto against Philadelphia.

The 2014 NBA Finals MVP is putting up historic numbers with 38.0 points per game on 61.8 percent shooting to go along with 9.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contest. The rest of the team is shooting 37 percent from the field in the conference semifinals.

LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for Los Angeles last summer after taking the Cavs to the 2018 NBA Finals. Toronto might have to win the championship in order to keep Leonard from heading out west.

The Clippers could have two max salary slots available with some maneuvering. The team's dream scenario is to sign both Leonard and Kevin Durant.

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