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Toronto Raptors storylines to watch: All eyes on Kawhi Leonard

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 (C) of the Toronto Raptors is introduced to the crowd prior to the first half of the NBA season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 (C) of the Toronto Raptors is introduced to the crowd prior to the first half of the NBA season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Scotiabank Arena on October 17, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images) /

Does Kawhi Leonard’s future with the Raptors get clearer?

Leonard has come as advertised putting up MVP performances but the Raptors have handled his usage delicately especially on back-to-back games. While the focus is on winning a championship, it also to show Kawhi what the Raptors have to offer.

It obviously starts with the current core of Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valunciunas, Serge Ibaka, and Green then the long-term plan with Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Delon Wright and Norman Powell. There is a lot the Raptors can offer as an organization both on and off the court and they are doing their best to sell it to Leonard.

President Masai Ujiri and GM Bobby Webster knew the risks they were taking trading a fan favourite in DeMar DeRozan for a player with the reputation as a top-five player but no assurance in his plan or commitment beyond this season. Sometimes, those are the risks a team has to make if they want to win especially after a couple of embarrassing playoff exits.

Paul George’s situation is one Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated refers to in his piece about Leonard and what will happen in Toronto. Could the Raptors pull off what Oklahoma City did with George making him change his mind about going to the Los Angeles Lakers?

Mannix points to Lowry as the player who can play the main role in recruiting Leonard while Ujiri talks with agent Mitch Frankel, and Leonard’s uncle Dennis Robertson. There is only so much the Raptors can do at this stage, they cannot bring certain things L.A. can other than what he is seeing firsthand.

It is a legitimate market with the media attention, opportunities to have financial success both on and off the court. Hopefully, that is what Leonard is contemplating and he is happy with his current situation.

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