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New York Knicks: Kawhi Leonard is a free agent, starting the summer saga

By Rob Wolkenbrod

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after winning the 2019 NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the NBA Finals 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after winning the 2019 NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the NBA Finals 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks were briefly linked for Kawhi Leonard, who opted out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors. What if he makes the shocking turn?

Superstars joining the New York Knicks went from realistic to a dream, after speculation grew for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving‘s potential arrivals, only to increase the link with the crosstown rivals, the Brooklyn Nets.

With those lingering franchise disappearings, there was still marginal hope for Kawhi Leonard, as the New York Post previously reported that the Knicks plan to make a push. Yahoo’s report on Leonard opting out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors at least opened up the possibility, even if this decision was one year in the making.

Leonard’s money is not the issue. The Knicks can offer the full max salary. It comes down to the fit and if this destination outdoes the Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers, the other long-mentioned team for the NBA Finals MVP.

It won’t be the roster that makes Leonard arrive. RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson are nice, young pieces, but this group, even with Leonard, is a playoff team, not a contender. If another star signs, it is a different story, but that seems otherwise for now.

Meanwhile, the Clippers have a deeper group of young talent that just made the postseason. Toronto just won a title with Leonard and will return most of that core, including Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry. Pending what Milwaukee and Philadelphia do, this should be the favorite from the Eastern Conference again.

The Clippers represent a return home, which was Leonard’s rumored desire 12 months ago, before the San Antonio Spurs sent him north of the border. They have the cap space, that hometown factor will never disappear and they may be one star away from making a leap up the standings, behind a title-winning head coach, Doc Rivers.

At the same time, why would Leonard leave a country that loves him and offers “Ka’Wine & Dine”? Why ditch that chance at continuing what he is just one year into?

Leonard is potentially taking a few steps back by joining the Knicks. Maybe they put together a full roster to compete in the East, but their chances at replicating what the Raptors did are slim to none; unlike them, it depends on the development of the young talent in place, which may take years.

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Even if the New York Knicks get a meeting with Leonard after 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 30, it might just be his own due diligence. The bright lights of the city and hope are all they can sell this future hall of famer on. Los Angeles and Toronto, at the surface, are the logical fits. If Leonard is concerned about his brand and wants the ultimate basketball project, New York can provide that.