newsweek
On Monday morning, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are "seriously engaged" in trade talks over Kawhi Leonard.
This builds off Jake Fischer's previous report over the weekend that the two sides "held real conversations" about a potential trade.
Leonard's reps informed other teams that the Raptors are the only team he would be willing to sign an extension with if the Clippers don't offer him a deal.
And LA has yet to signal any sort of long-term commitment to the two-time Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
He has one year left on his deal at $50.3 million, and free agency kicks off tomorrow, so the pressure is on.
On Monday's episode of "Get Up," ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained why the Raptors are pushing so hard to make a move, apparently seeing an open lane to climb to the top of the Eastern Conference.
"The Eastern Conference is definitely in some level of flux," Windhorst said.
"We've seen the Celtics considering taking their team a little bit apart.
We've seen the Hornets make two deals where they traded two of their core players away.
Giannis is definitely an impact player, but I'm not sure the Heat are going to be in a position to really compete in the East, at least I can't say that yet.
So, Toronto definitely sees a lane here." "I'm not seeing any Eastern Conference teams that are arising as serious contenders ..
Now, I see Toronto seeing that, and looking to try to find that lane," he added.
More news: Timberwolves Urged to Sign Burly Stretch Big After LaMelo Ball Trade Toronto went 46-36 last season and returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round.
While they ultimately lost the series, it was still a largely successful campaign for a franchise nobody was paying attention to when the season started.
Scottie Barnes emerged as one of the best young stars in the NBA.
RJ Barrett, a Toronto native, led the team with 24.1 points per game in the playoffs.
Immanuel Quickley, who missed the entire postseason, remains one of the most dynamic combo guards in the league.
And Raptors' rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has quickly become a fan favorite for his physical, high-IQ style of play.
Add Leonard to that, and you're looking at a legitimate contender in the East.
More news: Masai Ujiri Wants to Pull Off a Kawhi Leonard Trade Again This Time in Dallas More news: All-Star Point Guard Named Priority Target for Heat After Giannis Trade Recent reports indicate that the Raptors would prefer to move Brandon Ingram rather than Barrett, who the Clippers seem more keen on.
Ingram is coming off a strong year where he led Toronto in scoring with 21.5 points per game on 38.2% shooting from deep during the regular season, but he's also two years older than Barrett, owed more money, and was disappointing in the playoffs.
A potential package would likely have to be centered around Barrett, Gradey Dick, and future draft picks if Toronto really wants to get a deal done.