Raptors should be concerned about Kawhi Leonard’s commitment to Toronto
By Kareem Gantt
The Raptors are insisting that they are not worried about Kawhi Leonard’s commitment to Toronto, but they really should be.
It’s been over a month and a half since Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors, and he has yet to have a team introduction press conference.
This is not a good sign, considering that he’s currently available to give this press junket. But the Raptors are insisting that they are not worried and that Leonard has made the Raptors a priority.
After what happened with the San Antonio Spurs, we wonder why in the world they would trust his word?
Media is now beginning to take note of the absence of Leonard from Toronto, and Raptors GM Massi Ujiri told ESPN on Tuesday that Kawhi is “happy and healthy, and is in his “right frame of mind.”
“He is determined and seems in the right frame of mind,” Ujiri said. “You will be hearing from him shortly. I think there is a fire inside him, and we are all excited about that.”
Oh, there’s a fire inside of him, alright, and we fear that it isn’t burning for Toronto.
Now, nobody should take pity on the Raptors. They gave up a star who was super-committed to the team and the city for a player who’s on the last year of his contract and could easily walk at the end of the season, all to win now. The Raptors took a huge gamble, and it could pay off, and it also could not, which is why they should be concerned about his commitment to the team.
As long as Leonard’s name is not signed on a contract to stay in Toronto, this is a man whose word should always be questioned. Again, he could be eager to be in Toronto, but from what we’ve seen and heard, this plan could easily blow up in Ujiri’s face.