The San Antonio Kawhi Saga is over! Whilst the Spurs lose the best two way player in basketball they recoup assets and can be ridden of a wasted season and look fondly upon the new horizon.
The San Antonio Spurs have agreed to trade Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick. Toronto’s first-round pick to San Antonio is a protected 1-20 selection. After one year, it becomes two second-round picks.
Toronto and the Spurs have been talking about the trade for several weeks, and several potential packages have been discussed. Sources close to DeRozan have released that he met with Toronto officials in Las Vegas during summer league and believed that he would not be traded.
In a story posted on his Instagram page Wednesday morning, 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…”
Now we have a blockbuster trade with two unhappy players. On one hand, Kawhi Leonard publicly stated he wanted to only join the Lakers and after a season of refusing to play at San Antonio has been exiled to Canada. Sounds a lot like coach Popovich. DeMar has dedicated 9 years to Toronto and formed a close relationship with all star Kyle Lowry and the trade has the potential to split the locker room.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see a three way trade.
