Kawhi’s Decision

On July 6th around 12am Pacific time caused many fireworks around the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the biggest Free Agent Kawhi Leonard deciding to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers. This was a great signing and the Clippers were also to able acquire in what many saw as a out of nowhere move the Oklahoma City Thunder’s  star player Paul George.This has shifted the NBA landscape because it puts the Clippers as the top title contender; due to the fact the core of the team is still intact which made the playoffs last season. The Clippers gave up 5 first round picks of which  4 are unprotected in addition to Forward Danilo Gallinari and also promising Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA).  The trade has many ramifications around the league including what happens with the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors who were the two other teams trying to get Leonard to sign with them. Also we will look at options for the Thunder who’s future seems to look completely different from 24 hours ago.

The Toronto Raptors are the defending NBA Champions who just saw their best player and NBA Finals MVP Leonard walk away from the team. This puts the champions in a unique situation where they have to choose between making a run to repeat or to exploring trades to rebuild the team for the future . The team currently consist of a veteran core who have one year left on their contracts. They have a young rising star in the 2018-2019 Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam. They can build the team around him and Point Guard Fred Vanvleet. The Raptors should trade their veteran players and rebuild around Siakam and Vanvleet. This is because they are the fourth best team in the Eastern Conference with there being a huge gap between the top 2 teams in the East,Milwaukee and Philadelphia, and everyone else. The Raptors will be in good hands with General Manager Masai Ujiri at helm he will be sure to make great deal done which will keep the Raptors relevant.

The  Los Angeles Lakers  The other team that missed out on Leonard have to be feeling a little disappointed this morning since they only did not sign Leonard but also seeing him go to the team that plays in the same city and building as you adds more to it. The Lakers when free agency started did not have enough cap space to sign Leonard to a max contract and through trades they created the space with hopes of creating a formidable trio of Lebron James, Anthony Davis and Leonard. With Leonard choosing the Clippers the Lakers have to go to their plan B which was to fill out there rosters with secondary players to go along side James and Davis. The Lakers are still seen as a title contenders but getting Leonard would have made them a dynastic team in many peoples minds. They are linked to many role players who are shooters and starting level players which will be essential when playing with James and Davis.

In addition to the Raptors and Lakers not signing Leonard we also have to mention the Oklahoma City Thunder who traded one of their star players in Paul George. The Thunder wanted to try to shed salaries to help them to get under the luxury tax the Paul George trade helps that. This move essential means the Thunder will trade Steven Adams and possibly Russell Westbrook. With the 5 first round draft picks from the Clippers trade the rebuild is all but written on the wall. Westbrook has been applauded for his loyalty to the Thunder and for the Thunder to reportedly have his name used as a trade chip for Siakam will not sit well with him.

The NBA is excited that Leonard ended up in LA. It’s great that the top 3 players in the league Lebron James, Kevin Durant, and Kawhi Leonard are all in the the top 2 media markets in America. While also being on different teams which helps to drive the narrative that there is parity in the NBA. If Leonard is able to bring the Clippers a championship his legacy would put him into a rarified heir.