Raptors Are Done Trying To Convince Kawhi Leonard, VanVleet Says

Toronto Raptors are still hoping Kawhi Leonard commits his long-term future to the team when he enters free agency later in July. But teammate Fred VanVleet believes there is nothing more the franchise can do to convince Leonard.

Leonard delivered Canada’s first NBA championship by helping the Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals while also claiming the Finals MVP award. The small forward, however, is almost certain to opt out of the final year of his deal and become an unrestricted free agent next month.

The Raptors are hoping he remains in the city, but multiple reports claim he will leave and return to Los Angeles with the Clippers said to be the favorites to sign him in free agency. And VanVleet believes there is nothing more the Raptors can do to convince Leonard to stay with the team.

"I think for us, there is nothing more that we can do," VanVleet said, as quoted on Sports Illustrated. "We've done it. The city has done it. This franchise had done it. The coaches have done it. My teammates have done it. We've done our job. The best way to recruit somebody is to just be yourself over the course of the year, and I would assume that he knows what is here and what makes this place special."

"If it's enough then it's enough. If it's not then it's not. ... We would all love for him to be back and if he's not then we will move on from there. It's not the biggest deal in the world. He came here and did what he was supposed to do. So he brought this city a championship and I think he has earned his freedom and his career to do what he wants to do and we'll all respect him and admire him,” he added.

Leonard is likely to be the most sought after free agent this summer following the injury to Kevin Durant, who was likely to be the No. 1 choice for every team with cap space. The Clippers are leading the race but are likely to face competition from the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers.