NBA Rumors: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard Expected To Leave Warriors, Raptors After 2019 Finals

There has never been an NBA Finals quite like the one that’s about to take place between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors. Much of the discussion has been about what’s going to happen after the series because the two best players are expected to head elsewhere in free agency.

For the entirety of the 2018-2019 NBA season, there have been rumors that Kevin Durant is looking to leave Golden State. Kawhi Leonard’s future doesn’t seem to be as certain, but the odds are against him re-signing with Toronto this summer.

There is a thought that maybe the outcome of the finals could convince Leonard to stay north of the border. It’s well-known that the superstar has been eyeing Los Angeles since he asked for a trade from the San Antonio Spurs last summer. Maybe that will change if Leonard leads the Raptors to their first-ever championship.

It would be unprecedented for the star of a championship team to willingly leave just a few weeks later. The Raptors are pretty heavy underdogs against the Warriors, and they are not the favorites in the Kawhi Leonard Sweepstakes.

Leonard has been linked to the Los Angeles Clippers for months. It won’t be stunning if the forward re-signs with Toronto, but he is largely expected to join L.A.’s second team.

No one seems to believe Durant will stay with the Warriors after the NBA Finals. Most insiders believe the New York Knicks have the best chance to sign Golden State’s star. He could choose another team with cap space that is closer to competing for a title like the Clippers or Brooklyn Nets.

Durant is expected to sign with a team that isn’t already a title contender. It would be very surprising at this point if he stays in the Bay Area.

Another Golden State championship could be the final nail in the coffin when it comes to Durant’s departure. The Warriors are a perfect 5-0 without him this postseason. Durant is likely to miss at least the first two games against the Raptors. If Stephen Curry and Golden State win a title as Durant watches from the bench, the notion that Durant will look to find his “own” team in free agency will only grow stronger.

LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason after he led the team to their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance. It had been rumored for about a year that he was headed to the Los Angeles Lakers.

All the talk of Durant to the Knicks and Leonard to the Clippers has a lot of similarities to James’ once impending free agency as the stars get ready to face off in the finals.