The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons reportedly showed interest in Kawhi Leonard before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, but Leonard was only willing to sign an extension with Toronto or San Antonio.
Kawhi Leonard generated plenty of interest around the league this offseason, and there was a chance he could've potentially joined forces with Giannis Antetokounmpo in South Beach.
According to NBA insider Mark Stein, the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons showed interest in Kawhi before he was ultimately dealt to the Toronto Raptors in a trade this summer.
“As The Stein Line first reported in June, Leonard made it known amid interest from trade suitors such as Miami, Minnesota, and Detroit that he would only be interested in signing an extension with the Raptors or San Antonio (which did not pursue a trade for him)," Stein reports.
Kawhi Leonard to sign contract extension with Toronto
After months of waiting amid the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers, the Toronto Raptors have finally acquired Kawhi Leonard in a blockbuster trade.
The deal allowed Leonard and the Raptors to reunite seven years after their historic 2019 NBA championship run.
The trade also set the stage for Leonard to earn a new contract with Toronto, with the franchise fully committed to giving the superstar a major payday.
Leonard is entering the final year of his current contract for the 2026–27 season, which will pay him $50.3 million. He is currently eligible to sign a max contract extension worth up to two years and $126.1 million.
The two sides have already held advanced discussions and are reportedly nearing an agreement on a contract extension.
After averaging a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season, expectations are high for Leonard to lead Toronto in taking the next steps and mentoring franchise centerpiece Scottie Barnes.
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