Kawhi Leonard Discussion: “I’m A Snake Clipper Guy.”

"Strong possibility"...okay. He's also considering re-signing with Toronto on a "shorter deal...", and I've said that. I cannot see him signing a 5 year max with Toronto ultimately killing his flexibility to leave and come back home to play in Los Angeles, IMO. That would make no sense to me whatsoever.

Now, couple of things: I believe Davis is going to waive that trade kicker - we've heard the reports on when the consummation of this deal actually takes place and the ramifications on our cap space upon the execution of it; however, I think Kawhi would be open to sign here if we could get close to the Max.

The reason? Endorsement possibilities. They have those projections according to @Mr. Rambis. According to him, Ryan had a phone conference on Zoom with Uncle Dennis who's quite aware of the money Kawhi could earn off the court, and I'll wager to say it's more than he could earn anywhere else, IMO. Additionally, and depending on priorities, he gets to be home...

By the way, what are the taxes like in Canada - when you're an athlete, don't you have to pay both Canadian and American taxes?

I've thought we could get Butler, but if you have the chance to get Kawhi, you go get him, period. I don't think anybody would argue with that...

Going to be an interesting summer.

 

$23MM or $30MM? They are saying as early as this morning we only have $23MM. Don’t see how we even get Kawhi. I’m accepting no Kawhi. If he goes to the Clips though, this will be an amazing year in L.A.

 

These guys are just talking. They don't know if the deal is going through on the 6th.

I think we're deliberately playing things close to vest which is a welcome change of pace. but we've made it clear we are pursuing max guys so obviously the thought is that we will find the money we need.

If word got out that we were definitely going to get Kawhi and Davis other teams would definitely try to throw a wrench in it.

 

They’re all assuming AD doesn’t waive his trade kicker and that the 7/6 trade date doesn’t change.

 

Yep. Let them talk; it's what they get paid to do.

I still think Kawhi is leaving the Raps at some point; this year or next.

We're the move for him if he is smart, and yes, I'm bias.

But look at it realistically: 2 top 10 players on the roster, best off-court opportunitie(s), the machine that is AEG working with New Balance according to @Mr. Rambis , and he's home.

What else can he want? Unless of course, he doesn't want all the drama...LOL.

 

That's the key. We offer a lot more than anyone else can right now. I think we've got as good a shot as anyone outside of him staying in Toronto.

 

I just want to punish Toronto like I wanted OKC when they hijack "our" players ...except p**** P got brainwashed

 

You bring up an interesting point that I overlooked. The AD trade has it where he's on our capsheet as a caphold next summer with an inheritance to his bird rights. He'll count as a 34.8m caphold next summer before we sign him to that deal.

Salary cap is projected to be 116m for the 2020/21 season. The 35% max is projected to be 40.6m that year. Kawhi, as any 30% max free agent this summer, is eligible for the 35% max next summer.

So if he were to get his true 35% max of 40.6m in 2020, he would need his 1+1 opt out deal to start at 33.8m, since we don't have Kawhi's bird rights.

So the most he can get next summer after opting out a 32m deal this summer (which is all that we can afford in cap space if everything works out our way) is 38.4m (roughly 2m short of his true max next summer).

Think to KD when he first joined the dubs. He signed to whatever their cap space allowed and then only got 120% raises from his previous year salary as a non-bird free agent.

Also look at Boogie last year signing the tax-payer MLE of 5.3m with the dubs as another example. Assuming KD & Klay re-up, without cap space this summer, the dubs can only offer him 6.4m since they don't have his bird rights or cap space that can afford to give him more.

 

This is where New Balance comes in to the rescue and supplement those couple of millions over and above his shoe contract

 

@Mr. Rambis where are we at with the Kawhi presentation?

 

If Kawhi comes to the Lakers, I’ll buy a new pair of New Balance. You have my word.

 

I don't envy the people in charge of the Kawhi presentation. The most unreadable guy in pro sports. What do you emphasize to a guy like that?

The FO can present what they know: he gets to play with AD and Lebron, he gets this much money depending on how the trade chips fall, he gets big New Balance money tied in with AEG, he gets to live and work in southern California, the team will work with him on his load management concerns, etc. These things we all know, but the ultimately we don't know what really makes him tick.

He's proven he can lead a team to the Promised Land. Does he want to try to repeat with Toronto? Does he want to take another crack at leading a different team? Does he like the idea of sharing the spotlight with two other stars he respects and who respect him? We can speculate all we want, but at the end of the day, we don't know.

Just roll with it. Fun stuff, indeed. These days, it's a better problem to have than it was before the AD trade, that is for sure.

 

Sounds like he may have narrowed his options to staying with Toronto or going to either of the two biggest markets: New York or LA.

He can try to repeat with Toronto.
He can team up with another star for the Nets or the Knicks.
He can lead the Clips like he did Toronto.
He can team up with AD and Lebron here.

He'll be the domino that sets off the free agent stampede. Get out the popcorn, boys and girls ...

 

I hope Lebron begs on bended/bent knees for Kawhi to come lol be the DWade/DRob and give Kawhi the keys to the team

 

Since we are talking about what motivate Kawhi/why would he come here , this is my theory


He barely made it through the playoffs even with a "load management plan" during the regular season .

I think Kawhi is considering teaming up with Bron and AD not to have to carry the entire load again which may shorten his career .

He talked about it after the Finals . I'm paraphrasing " I thought I was a 1st option before the injury so I took my time to rehab to still be at worst a 2nd or 3rd option when I came back. I didn't want to become a sixth guy off the bench"

He won as the main guy so he might be fine with not being the clear cut number 1 guy going forward.

Here is the video.

Starts at 1.10