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2019 NBA free agency: Analyzing Kawhi Leonard’s options

By Ananth Para

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors speaks to the media after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship, Kawhi Leonard’s pending free agency decision will have future ramifications for not just one, but three organizations.

Kawhi Leonard’s free agency has been one that models his on-court play style: methodical, calculated, precise and almost boring in comparison to the rest of the NBA landscape. But that’s what makes Kawhi Leonard so unique: He’s nothing like the rest of the NBA.

With the premier free agent and reigning Finals MVP still on the market, it’s clear that Leonard has his sights set on three potential destinations.

The Los Angeles Lakers offer Kawhi everything that he hasn’t had up until this point of his career. The flashing lights and the big market/historic franchise the Lakers provide would put immediate championship pressure on the Los Angeles native, not to mention playing with two of the best players in the NBA in Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

The Los Angeles Clippers, much like the Toronto Raptors, offers Kawhi the opportunity to be heralded as the greatest Clipper of all time and become the face that leads the organization to its first championship in franchise history.

The Raptors offer Kawhi Leonard’s safest bet. Armed with a championship-tested roster that contains the perfect blend between battle-tested veterans as well as young, burgeoning talent, he could be afforded the opportunity to pave his own way in the Mount Rushmore of NBA legends. The medical staff is second to none, which is undoubtedly one of Kawhi’s priorities after a tumultuous ending to his time with the San Antonio Spurs.

The Klaw’s pending decision will forever shape his career trajectory heading into what is said to be his prime, and Kawhi’s options leave a lot to be speculation. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of his three main options.