NBA
Spurs Exchange Kawhi Leonard For Raptors DeMar DeRozan Among Others
After several months of anticipation, the San Antonio Spurs have dealt Kawhi Leanard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan. In addition to this, the move includes the Raptors receiving Danny Green while the Spurs get Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick. Furthermore, Toronto’s first-rounder to San Antonio is a protected 1-20 selection which will turn into two second-round picks after one year.
The breaking news were first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
Spurs have agree to trade Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to Toronto for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Trade call with league office is starting shortly.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 18, 2018
Wojnarowski also added that “Toronto and San Antonio have been talking about the trade for two weeks, and several incarnations of packages have been discussed.” However, DeRozan believed that he would not be traded after meeting with Toronto officials in Las Vegas during the summer league.
DeRozan
On story posted on Instagram on Wednesday, DeRozan wrote:
“Be told one thing & the outcome another. 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…”
The 28-year-old has been a pillar for the Raptors since joining them in 2009 as a first-rounder. Just last season, DeRozan played in 80 games, averaging 33.9 MPG, 23.0 PPG and with a .456 FG%. In addition, he is joining one of the most respected teams int he NBA, having 21 consecutive playoffs berths. Despite the exit of Tony Parker to the Charlotte Hornetts and the uncertainty of guard Many Ginobili, the Spurs intend to continue being much alive in the Western Conference playoff race with LaMarcus Aldridge at center.
Leonard
Kawhi, meanwhile, will become a free agent in 2019 and perhaps will leave Toronto to join LeBron James and company in Los Angeles, where he originally wanted to be traded to. However, the Toronto Raptors have immediately become one of the contenders for the NBA finals with the acquisition of Leonard. With the Boston Celtics, Indiana Pacers and a rising and promising Washington Wizards, the field is quite open for the Raptors to Eastern Conference.
Nevertheless, this year-long situation between Leonard and the Spurs needed to end. Despite not ending how he anticipated, he is out of San Antonio and has the potential to end well for him.
