How could Kawhi leave this?

Whatever happens in the Finals, expect Kawhi to stay in Toronto

BY DAVID THORPE

Pascal Siakam made eight straight shots, then nine, then 11 on his way to 32 points. In one of the loudest arenas in NBA history, the Raptors took Game 1 over the Warriors Thursday night 118-109. Through it all, one thought loomed largest: Kawhi Leonard will be a Raptor next year.

Of course, he’s about to be a free agent. And because of that, as the media you might expect to hear sunny things about Kawhi’s return from Raptors sources eager to tamp down the impression Kawhi is bound for the Clippers or another team. But even before the Finals began, we at TrueHoop heard from plugged-in sources associated with players and the league—but not the team—that Kawhi would return to Toronto, at least on a short-term deal.

Game 1 made the reason obvious: How could he leave this?

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