Return to where he won it all: Kawhi back to Toronto?

One of the most eye-catching potential trades of the NBA summer is on the agenda. According to what has been reported, the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have taken the talks they have held over the past few weeks for All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard to a serious level; the two clubs are working on a deal that could take the star player back to Canada.

At the center of the matter is Leonard's preference about his future. It is reported that the veteran forward's representatives informed other teams he only wants to sign an extension with the Raptors if the Clippers are not planning to keep him in their squad. Leonard actually preferred to stay in Los Angeles; however, the franchise making no long-term commitment to the player this summer changed the picture. There is only the 2026-27 season left on Leonard's current contract, and his salary for that season is $50.3 million.

A potential deal would mean an emotional return for Leonard. The star led the Raptors to the first NBA title in their history in 2019, being named Finals MVP after averaging 28.5 points in the championship series. Having joined Toronto from the San Antonio Spurs in July 2018, Leonard stayed in the city for just one season before joining the Clippers as a free agent.

Turning 35 on Monday, Leonard was a three-time All-Star in a Clippers jersey and closed his most recent season with one of the most productive stretches of his career, averaging 27.9 points across 65 regular-season games. How the talks will end and what the Raptors would give in return will become clearer in the coming days; but the seriousness of both sides at the table keeps the prospect of the star forward returning to Toronto firmly on the agenda.

Source: Shams Charania
Image: BBC