🚨 Kawhi Leonard returning to Toronto 🚨 Shams Charania breaks down the trade | NBA Today

We have breaking news on NBA Today.Kawhi Leonard, he's going back home.He's going back to Toronto.The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing a deal, sending Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram.Grady Dick, two first rounders, one pick swap, two second rounders, sources tell ESPN.Again, this is according to Shams, a return to Canada for the Raptors champion, the two -time finals MVP.

We had heard rumblings of this one.Big Perk is clapping.You love this?

the Clippers finally got some of some of their pigs back for what they gave up and said okay so straight but I love this for the Toronto Raptors I love it for you talk about yeah I mean him and Scottie Barnes yeah those two ready to get their feet hot in the Eastern Conference and if you're a team If you're one of those teams outside the Knicks, you better start making some moves, because this was a powerful move right here.That combo, that duo, is going to be right there in the same conversation with Cory Anthony Towers and Jay LeBron.

Hey guys, I want to get your thoughts, but we're going to go to Shams for some more details.Shams Sharani, breaking this news just moments ago.How did this deal finally get done?Kawhi, going back to Toronto.

And at the crux of this, Kawhi Leonard had one year and $50 million left on his contract.And there was no future for him after this season with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Clippers failed to give him a contract extension commitment.But multiple other teams out there were pursuing Kawhi Leonard for the last few weeks, were willing to give him an extension, but he only wanted to go to one team and give only one team a contract extension commitment.And that's the Toronto Raptors going back to the city that he led to the 2019 NBA championship.He led them to their only championship in franchise history, one finals MVP there.

And so there was a preference for Kawhi Leonard to stay in Los Angeles.But once it was made clear that there was no future there, he settled on Toronto as his preferred landing spot.And sources told me there were three keys to this.One is the familiarity with the Toronto Raptors organization.We know he spent that one year there.He made it very clear that he would leave after just one season.

But that one year, Bobby Webster, the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, made the trade to go get him with Brian Wright, the Spurs GM, back in 2018.The city of Toronto as well, and the ability now to go to the Raptors and contend in the Eastern Conference and to be able to say that I ended my career with the Raptors after playing for the Clippers and the Spurs.So I'm told Kawhi Leonard views this as an opportunity to retire in Toronto.

To come full circle.It seems to be a good deal for everybody.Shams, we appreciate you.Thank you so much for all the hard work today.All right, breaking news fast and furious here.Shamp, what do you think?

I like it.I like Kauai.with scottie i think that that gives them perimeter defense like they didn't know they was gonna need uh i think they also can do a lot more switching that'll be valuable and they're in the eastern conference uh kawhi leonard has dealt with the troubles of the western conference for a while now and he understands how tough that is i think going back to the eastern conference want to give some balance to the nba but when you talk about being able to move the needle, it's much easier to do that, especially during the regular season, get yourself set up for the playoffs and the Eastern Comprehensive as the West.

If there's any time to be in the business of betting on, and I hate using those words for the nature of sports right now, Kawhi Leonard, the time is now.I feel like we sleep on that graphic because this was the only second time, I believe, since his tenure in Toronto that he played over 60 games.So he was out there on the floor.He averaged 28 points.Did you guys see how he finished the year?Back to being that dominant type of guy.

And so when you look at the landscape of the East, I love the New York Knicks.What they did was impressive.But at times, you can say teams helped with the lack of availability or the lack of health, or just teams that are young that haven't figured themselves out.They capitalized it, New York, in order to get to the NBA Finals and win a championship.I like that there's an opportunity for them to be in the mix, the Toronto Raptors, because they have the core of the principles of what needs to be great.The defense, they have the rising young stars.

And then you can learn from a guy who is quite simple to plug and play when he's available.And so I feel like people sleep on the fact that Kawhi is actually, he's played his best basketball since that championship.

just recently this which is crazy at this point in his career right so we're talking about you know some of these guys with experience going to teams making a difference how should we view toronto now this is a real balance of power shifting trade this is the first one this is the first major transaction that has changed the balance of power the heat have the potential to do that.

But they aren't yet ready to contend.The Raptors are now ready to contend.The New York Knicks, for the first time since they got done with their parade, are going to sit up a little bit on this one.This changes how the Eastern Conference shakes out.We've been watching the East get weaker for the last week.Jalen Brown is in limbo to Charlotte Horn.

It's not that I thought they were going to win the East.They kind of came down.We haven't seen the Pistons yet fully get their team back together.The Cavs might lose a player or two.This is taking a team that could be a conference finalist next year.Total powerhouse, two -way wing player coming off one of his best years of his career.

A lot of talent leaving L .A.today, guys.I also want to point out that this is the Clippers.The Clippers just got done finishing extinguishing their trade assets that they paid for Paul George, which got them.Now they've gotten some, they've gotten some

The Clippers are in position to have salary cap space.Let's see if they try to open up more and if they try to do something with it.The Clippers are now a power player a little bit.

Always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in his new phase of life, both on and off the court.By the way, DraftKings Sportsbook has released the odds for his likeliest destination next season.

Hello, world.Hey, look, there's nothing more than I enjoy than looking at a Magic Johnson tweet, okay?But on a day like today, when we're talking about the biggest story in free agency, damn it, it's time for a big perks, big list of LeBron's destination.Where's the king headed?Now, Hannah, Dave, this is your first time participating in it.It's only one rule.

You go bring the energy that's needed.Otherwise, you will not be invited back.I thought it was Steve Wynn.So Wendy, because you're a vet in this game, I want you to crank me off at number five.Damn.There you go.

Put it up there.

The name.

Hey, the thing is, why not?If it's not about money and it's about happiness, why not go and join Big Body Brunson and Corey Anthony Towns in the Mecca, the NBA champions?Go over there.You can make up money outside of basketball.Trust and believe me.Ask Jay LeBronson.

That's why he took a pay cut.Janae.Yes.Walk your behind up just a minute.Okay, okay.Wendy, I didn't think...

Should I do it Wendy style?

BAM oh, okay cool to Miami and I know it's been some beef between him and Pat Riley over cookies I get all that but time heal wounds.They just got Yanis.They got BAM Andrew Wiggins is gonna return back all of a suddenyou have LeBron James, and he addresses the problem at the perimeter as a guy that can go and get his and create for others.That's the Miami Heat coming in at number four.Dave, what do you have now?

I need your energy.You told me there's nothing more you like more than a Magic Johnson tweet.Yeah.I thought you mean nothing more you like than your next meal.Oh.

OK.Bam!Damn, man!It's the Minnesota Timberwolves.Why not?You got Ant -Man, you got LaMelo, you got new ownership.

I know A -Rod is not afraid of ruffling the feathers.I know he's not afraid of bringing another superstar into the mix.If it's not about money, I get it.It gets cold in Minnesota.But LeBron James absolutely make the Minnesota Timberwolves a real legit title contender.Bobby, we here for number two.

You know how we bring it.That's the energy I like.I'm not Jay LeBron, I'm your friend.Listen, the Cleveland Cavaliers, a storybook ending.Bring your ass back to the crib.You know where it all started.

Remember when you took my McDonald's All -American trophy in 2003?We was in Cleveland.Damn it, you got drafted there.You had one of the greatest championships ever, being down 3 -1.Go back home, and not only get the roses and flowers that you deserve, but you actually have a shot at winning the NBA championship.And that number one.

Hannah, with that.

Let's go ahead.I need your energy.

Same energy you've been bringing all year long.Come on.That's what you do.Are you ready for it?I'm ready.Bam!

Put it up there, damn it!The Warriors!Green Eyes, Steph Curry, and LeBron James, that is must -see TV.Do you know if those two guys are on the team together, they're going to get 82 national televised games.By the way, they're going to have the most championship experience out of any other team in the NBA.And I get it, they're going to be senior citizens, but is going to bring life back to them.

And Steve Kerr wants to win now.So again, this is not your list.And I love Magic Johnson tweets.But nothing is better than the big Perks list on a day like today when the GOAT of basketball announces that he's stepping into free ages.

Bobby, which one of these are actually possible?

1, 2, and 4.OK. 1, 2, and 4.All right.But I know it's Perks list.I would take Minnesota out and replace it with Denver.

OK, I'm not mad at that.

Anybody else?I will say this.Points for creativity in Minnesota.Remember, he played with Ant on the Paris Olympic team.OK.So does any team need him?

Did you play with LeBron in Northern California back when you were in high school?

What's your favorite?What's your favorite today?I kind of like the Golden State.I like the Avengers assembling.I like the last stand.I'm going with number one perk.

To Bobby's point, if I were Denver, I would try to get a meeting.He has a long relationship with Josh Kroenke, the owner of the Nuggets.And they're pretty close in age, too.

All right.Oh, wow.

It's true.It's true.

That was a bam right there.

All right.