Leonard’s impending decision on where he goes is the subject of league-wide speculation, but for now, he can rest easy knowing that the Raptors have his back.
The Raptors have done all they can to ensure Leonard remains with the organization now, and VanVleet didn’t appear too concerned about the team’s pitch to him in the coming weeks.
“I don’t leave anything in the air, so I joked about Kawhi about that since the first time I talked to him,” VanVleet said during Sunday’s press conference.
“There’s nothing more we can do. We did it. The city did it…I would assume he knows what’s here and what makes this place special,” VanVleet said.
VanVleet is ready to square off against any team Leonard potentially joins over the summer.
“We’ll have to kick his ass next year,” VanVleet said about Leonard, if he goes elsewhere.
The Raptors’ guard also revealed he sprained his thumb and didn’t want to make it public until the Finals were over, telling reporters that he may see a specialist if he visits New York.
Fred VanVleet reveals he sprained his thumb, it was manageable and says he may see a specialist in New York. When asked how it affected him, he responds “you’ve seen how I’ve been shooting lately?” pic.twitter.com/bhMKKFv4Nw
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) June 16, 2019
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse also took the podium Sunday but didn’t want to dive too deep into his superstar’s impending decision.
“I think he had a good season and people like him here and we can give him a good deal. I don’t know if I’m even allowed to comment on my own guy,” Nurse told reporters.
The Raptors won’t be a championship team without Kawhi, but they will be a playoff team. If Kawhi goes to the West, the Raptors will still compete without him.
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