Raptors acquire Spurs' Kawhi Leonard for DeMar DeRozan
By admin - 2018-11-24 01:09:31

The San Antonio Spurs have traded Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 first-round pick, the Spurs announced Wednesday.

The first-round pick Toronto sent to San Antonio is a protected 1-20 selection, according to a source from The Ringer. The Spurs are including $5 million to the Raptors.

Green posted a note of gratitude towards San Antonio on Twitter, saying, “Can’t express the LOVE I have for you, the city, the fans & the organization. I want to thank you all for allowing me to be a part of something AMAZING for so many years”.

Toronto and San Antonio have been discussing the trade for two weeks, league sources said. Sources close to DeRozan told ESPN’s Chris Haynes that DeRozan met with Toronto officials in Las Vegas during summer league and believed that he would not be traded.

DeRozan took to Instagram on Wednesday, writing in a story, “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…”

Masai Ujiri, the Raptors president of basketball operations, is taking a significant risk with the trade. Ujiri is making the deal with a determination that he can convince Leonard to re-sign with the Raptors next summer in free agency, sources said. Toronto would be able to offer Leonard a five-year, $190 million contracts next summer. If Leonard left the Raptors, he could sign a four-year, $141 million deal with a team with the available salary-cap space.

Leonard has been clear that he plans to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency. DeRozan, a four-time All-Star, has three years and $83 million left on his contract, including an early-termination option for the 2020-21 season.