When Kawhi Leonard joined the Toronto Raptors in 2018, few predicted they would win their first NBA championship the same year.
Despite Leonard’s commitment that season, he had already cautioned head coach Nick Nurse that his future might not include Toronto beyond one year.
Nurse shared on The Draymond Green Show that Leonard’s message during their first conversation was clear: “I’m going to play to win it all. I’m gonna do it for one year. After that, I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
After the Raptors’ championship victory, Nurse hoped Leonard would stay, but the star forward opted to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers instead.
Nurse, reflecting on Leonard’s departure, acknowledged that while he had hoped Leonard would continue with the Raptors, the decision to join the Clippers wasn’t entirely unexpected.
