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2019 NBA free agency: Ranking Kawhi Leonard’s best potential landing spots

By Daniel Lubofsky

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO - JUNE 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After one of the best postseason performances in NBA history, Kawhi Leonard won’t have a shortage of suitors when he becomes a free agent in 2019.

Throughout the 2018-19 season, the talk surrounding the Toronto Raptors was rarely about their on-court production. They may have finished with the second-best record in the league at 58-24, but all anyone could talk about was the impending free agency of their superstar, Kawhi Leonard.

A three-time All-Star, the journey to Leonard’s summertime decision differed from the traditional path. A trade request put in last summer had him shipped north of the border, where he was viewed as the savior to lift the Raptors franchise into the realm of realistic title contention.

The blockbuster deal didn’t come without a caveat. Reports had suggested that one way or another, Kawhi was bound to wind up in Los Angeles come free agency, likely as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

https://twitter.com/br_betting/status/1140672767072886784

Since then, Toronto’s done just about everything in its power during what was a year-long sales pitch. Aside from the fact that the Raptors can offer him a far more lucrative deal, they are now the reigning NBA champions, with Leonard winning Finals MVP honors and asserting himself as arguably the best player in the world.

For all the festivities regarding what was truly a remarkable accomplishment, Kawhi has been adamant about the process that will have him weigh his options when the time comes. Until then, all we can do is speculate and assess which teams would be the best fit for a player on top of the world and at the peak of his powers.