After being traded to the Toronto Raptors on July 18, 2018, few could have imagined what Kawhi Leonard and his team would go on to have a magical 2018-19 season. Leonard became an immediate franchise legend for the Raptors, making an All-Star appearance and averaging 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The story became even more magical after Leonard put the Raptors on his back and led them to the first NBA Championship in the franchise’s history after an epic Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Leonard was named Finals MVP after a monster performance, averaging 28.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the team’s six-game triumph.

Now, the future is less clear. Leonard is now an unrestricted free agent and can theoretically sign a contract to play for any franchise he chooses for the next season and years beyond that. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has been as guarded and secretive about his future as always, but many believe that Leonard’s future is not in Toronto.

However, Kawhi Leonard’s best option for his future, without a doubt, is to stay in Toronto and go back to the city that lifted the trophy earlier this month. Why?

Well, for one, why fix what isn’t broken? Leonard won the 2019 NBA Title with the Raptors, and the Canadians will return every single member of their roster from last season with the exception of role player Danny Green. While teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers can talk about their financial flexibility to add free agents, there’s already a roster that’s proven to be capable of winning a title in Toronto.

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the Raptors’ primary competition for Leonard’s services, and their roster doesn’t come close to stacking up with Toronto’s.

Of course, the issue of money is also in play, but Leonard would benefit financially from staying in Toronto too. The Raptors are the only team that can offer the forward a 5-year, $190 million supermax contract. Other teams can offer Leonard 4 years and $141 million, but for a player with Leonard’s injury history, he would be wise to take the most possible years and the most money that he can.

For these reasons, plus the immense love that Toronto and the country of Canada already has for Kawhi, the Raptors are the best place where Leonard can end up signing a contract. There’s no reason to let the magic end with the 2019 NBA Title—they can accomplish much more together.

The post Kawhi Leonard’s Best Option is Staying with the Toronto Raptors appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the most accomplished NBA franchises hasn’t seen the playoffs in five years and is two years removed from having a proper superstar on the team after Kobe Bryant retired. This is why LeBron James’ arrival brought so much hope to the fans, who are hoping their team can be a title contender once again. It can, but just not this year.

The biggest issue with the Lakers, constructed as they are at the moment, is that they don’t have a “go-to player” besides James. They don’t have another player who can take over the game in certain moments and carry the team to the win. Lonzo Ball couldn’t hit threes and jumpers consecutively if his life depended on it, Kyle Kuzma is a catch and shoot type of player, and Brandon Ingram will get to that level in a couple of years. All their most significant competitors in Western Conference – Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets – have two or more such players.

Now, Los Angeles Lakers have a terrific mix of young players and veterans and that is their strength. However, the Lakers’ young stars are all projected to start, and veterans will warm the bench. With teams who are thinking about contending for a title is another way around, since experience is crucial when the game is on the line. And once again, LeBron James as great as he is, can’t do it all by himself like last season. He isn’t in the Eastern Conference anymore.

But both LeBron James and Lakers organization know all of this, and they are not expecting much from this season. The plan is to get James comfortable, see where they stand with the young players and determine which veterans deserve to stick around next season. Because its the next season when these new Lakers with James plan on to make a push to get back in NBA Finals again. This is of course if they manage to land some of the 2019 big free agents like Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, or maybe even Klay Thompson.

So, where will the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James end up this year? Probably somewhere between 6th and 8th seed. James can get you that even in the Western Conference. Then the Lakers will face an early playoff exit and focus on 2019-2020.

But don’t worry Lakers’ fans, your team is in a perfect place to be good for at least five years or even more if LeBron decides he will break all the longevity records. That is what matters the most, right?

The post Opinion: Even With LeBron James, LA Lakers Can’t Do Much This Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After being traded to the Toronto Raptors on July 18, 2018, few could have imagined what Kawhi Leonard and his team would go on to have a magical 2018-19 season. Leonard became an immediate franchise legend for the Raptors, making an All-Star appearance and averaging 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The story became even more magical after Leonard put the Raptors on his back and led them to the first NBA Championship in the franchise’s history after an epic Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Leonard was named Finals MVP after a monster performance, averaging 28.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the team’s six-game triumph.

Now, the future is less clear. Leonard is now an unrestricted free agent and can theoretically sign a contract to play for any franchise he chooses for the next season and years beyond that. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has been as guarded and secretive about his future as always, but many believe that Leonard’s future is not in Toronto.

However, Kawhi Leonard’s best option for his future, without a doubt, is to stay in Toronto and go back to the city that lifted the trophy earlier this month. Why?

Well, for one, why fix what isn’t broken? Leonard won the 2019 NBA Title with the Raptors, and the Canadians will return every single member of their roster from last season with the exception of role player Danny Green. While teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers can talk about their financial flexibility to add free agents, there’s already a roster that’s proven to be capable of winning a title in Toronto.

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the Raptors’ primary competition for Leonard’s services, and their roster doesn’t come close to stacking up with Toronto’s.

Of course, the issue of money is also in play, but Leonard would benefit financially from staying in Toronto too. The Raptors are the only team that can offer the forward a 5-year, $190 million supermax contract. Other teams can offer Leonard 4 years and $141 million, but for a player with Leonard’s injury history, he would be wise to take the most possible years and the most money that he can.

For these reasons, plus the immense love that Toronto and the country of Canada already has for Kawhi, the Raptors are the best place where Leonard can end up signing a contract. There’s no reason to let the magic end with the 2019 NBA Title—they can accomplish much more together.

The post Kawhi Leonard’s Best Option is Staying with the Toronto Raptors appeared first on SportzBonanza.

One of the most accomplished NBA franchises hasn’t seen the playoffs in five years and is two years removed from having a proper superstar on the team after Kobe Bryant retired. This is why LeBron James’ arrival brought so much hope to the fans, who are hoping their team can be a title contender once again. It can, but just not this year.

The biggest issue with the Lakers, constructed as they are at the moment, is that they don’t have a “go-to player” besides James. They don’t have another player who can take over the game in certain moments and carry the team to the win. Lonzo Ball couldn’t hit threes and jumpers consecutively if his life depended on it, Kyle Kuzma is a catch and shoot type of player, and Brandon Ingram will get to that level in a couple of years. All their most significant competitors in Western Conference – Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets – have two or more such players.

Now, Los Angeles Lakers have a terrific mix of young players and veterans and that is their strength. However, the Lakers’ young stars are all projected to start, and veterans will warm the bench. With teams who are thinking about contending for a title is another way around, since experience is crucial when the game is on the line. And once again, LeBron James as great as he is, can’t do it all by himself like last season. He isn’t in the Eastern Conference anymore.

But both LeBron James and Lakers organization know all of this, and they are not expecting much from this season. The plan is to get James comfortable, see where they stand with the young players and determine which veterans deserve to stick around next season. Because its the next season when these new Lakers with James plan on to make a push to get back in NBA Finals again. This is of course if they manage to land some of the 2019 big free agents like Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler, or maybe even Klay Thompson.

So, where will the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James end up this year? Probably somewhere between 6th and 8th seed. James can get you that even in the Western Conference. Then the Lakers will face an early playoff exit and focus on 2019-2020.

But don’t worry Lakers’ fans, your team is in a perfect place to be good for at least five years or even more if LeBron decides he will break all the longevity records. That is what matters the most, right?

The post Opinion: Even With LeBron James, LA Lakers Can’t Do Much This Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.