Kawhi Leonard trade: DeMar DeRozan promise BROKEN by Toronto Raptors, deal imminent
KAWHI LEONARD trade - DeMar DeRozan’s apparent anger at being traded to the San Antonio Spurs could be because the Toronto Raptors reportedly told him the opposite would happen.
That’s according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, who claims DeRozan was clearly told that he wouldn’t be traded.
But it looks as though a deal between the San Antonio Spurs and the Raptors centred around Leonard and DeRozan could be set to be completed in the near future.
It was reported earlier this morning that the Spurs were in “serious talks” with the Raptors regarding a trade for wantaway star Leonard.
Toronto emerged as surprise favourites to sign the 2014 NBA Finals MVP last week after the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers seemed to be the most likely destinations.
But ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst claimed yesterday both the Lakers and the 76ers pulled out of a potential deal, leaving the door open for a team like Toronto to swoop in.
And DeRozan appeared to take a swipe at the Raptors over the move in three cryptic Instagram posts.
“Be told one thing & the outcome another,” he wrote.
“Can’t trust em. Ain’t no loyalty in this game.
“Sell you out quick for a little bit of nothing…
“Soon you’ll understand…”
“Don’t disturb…”
Leonard’s impending 2019 free agency will present a problem for the Raptors with the player expressing a desire to head to Los Angeles, with a preference to join the Lakers.
However, if a deal is completed for Leonard then Toronto will be able to offer him more money than any other team next summer.
While Leonard is now unlikely to either be offered or sign a supermax contract with the Spurs this summer worth close to $220m, Toronto will be able to offer the 27-year-old $190m over five years.
And the two-time NBA All-Star could potentially be $80m out of pocket if he left the Raptors with other teams only able to offer him a guaranteed $141m over four years.