Kawhi Leonard: Toronto Raptors SLAMMED by San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay
KAWHI LEONARD’s trade to Toronto Raptors has come under scrutiny from Rudy Gay.
Leonard swapped San Antonio Spurs for the Raptors in one of the biggest moves of this offseason.
The Raptors received DeMar DeRozan in return and both players are gearing up for the new season.
But looking at how the deal was made, Gay has picked out some serious flaws in the Raptors’ transfer operations.
The Spurs forward credited his club for acknowledging Leonard’s desire to join a ‘bigger team’ and therefore accommodating the trade.
However, Gay has slammed the Raptors for forcing DeRozan to leave the club where he was thoroughly loved and cherished.
“On one side of the situation, there was one guy (Leonard) that was trying to get out, get to a bigger market, and they were totally being up front with him,” Gay said on Hartford Courant’s UConn Insider podcast.
“And then they trade him for a guy (DeRozan) where, that organisation wasn’t being upfront with him at all.
“So I mean, it’s just night and day. That trade right there shows you the difference between the San Antonio Spurs and other organisations.”
Gay will play alongside DeRozan during the new season under head coach Gregg Popovich.
“Pop is going to give it to you straight,” Gay added.
“The best part about San Antonio, they do right by you.
“They do right by their players, do right by their staff. They do right by you.
“That doesn’t happen much in the NBA, to be honest with you. It doesn’t happen much.
“You have to respect a person who will lay it on the line and doesn’t sugarcoat anything.
“He’ll tell you exactly how he feels and then, afterward, have wine with you.”