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A new trade proposal has the Detroit Pistons acquiring Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers.
One of the strongest NBA Championships for a star player’s legacy featured Kawhi Leonard leading the Toronto Raptors to the title in 2019. Toronto made the bold move of acquiring Leonard with one season left on his contract and no promises that he would remain with the franchise. Leonard’s one year featured him leading them to the postseason and having an all-time great run to the NBA Championship.
A recent quote from the All-Star media session featured Kawhi revealing that he felt the team lacked talent when referencing former teammate Norman Powell’s improvement:
“Everybody comes into their own. But, you know, the talent wasn’t there, but the work ethic was. And that’s the reason why we won. Everybody thought they were better than they were and competed at a high level every night. And I’m happy for him, especially for Norm, even trying to get here.”
Some fans took exception to this since it came off as Leonard saying his teammates lacked talent. There is a narrative that Kawhi carried the franchise’s lackluster roster, so this comment only adds to that. Leonard did credit team for work ethic and chemistry making up for a lack of talent compared to other teams that fell short.
Kawhi Leonard Has Fair Perspective About Raptors
Most of the better teammates improved after that 2019 run to show their overall potential in the league. Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and now Powell have all made the All-Star team in future years, while becoming important NBA players for their respective franchises.
OG Anunoby is currently viewed as one of the best defenders in the league, and some even view him as the second-best player on the title contending New York Knicks. Respected veterans Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka added more experience as capable big men rounding out the roster.
All these tales featured past or future stars in the 2019 timeline to warrant Leonard doing more to get his teammates better looks. Kyle Lowry was the second-best player on the team behind Kawhi, but he wasn’t considered a great “number two” when looking back at most other championship rosters.
Toronto Might Want Kawhi Leonard Reunion
Recent reports suggested that Toronto could look at Leonard as one of their offseason moves to improve the roster. The Raptors are having a great season, but their roster has a slim chance to truly contend behind Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram as the best players on the team.
Toronto reportedly spoke to multiple teams about adding another star player to the roster at the trade deadline before standing pat. Leonard will only have one year left on his contract this summer, and the Clippers desperately lack assets for the betterment of their future after all the “win now” moves.
Kawhi is one of the rumored names that the Raptors could try to acquire in the summer via a trade. Raptors fans love Leonard for being the top superstar who led them to an NBA Championship, and he may have more talent on the current roster based on Kawhi’s own comments.
Joey Haverford Joey Haverford is a seasoned sports content writer with over 12 years of experience. He has covered the NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL, and professional wrestling in the sports industry. More about Joey Haverford
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