Kawhi Leonard has signed with the Toronto Raptors, according to The Globe and Mail, which reported that the NBA's response to an issue involving his wrist amounted to little more than a light tap. The Globe and Mail framed the outcome as a payday for Leonard, who returns to the franchise he previously led.
The reported penalty was minor relative to the contract Leonard secured, though the source material does not specify the terms of the deal or the exact nature of the league's action.
Toronto's front office had expected the agreement to be completed. Raptors general manager Bobby Webster addressed questions about Leonard and the rest of the roster, telling reporters it is no longer 2019, according to Raptors HQ. Webster's comments were aimed at putting concerns to rest.
The Raptors were confident the deal would proceed even while an investigation was underway, Global News and TSN both reported. That confidence held, and the signing went through.
Not everyone views the move as straightforward. CBS Sports outlined three significant concerns about Leonard's return to Toronto, among them how he will fit alongside Scottie Barnes.
Leonard's arrival reshapes Toronto's lineup and raises immediate questions about how the team will balance two prominent players. The Globe and Mail's characterization of the NBA's response suggests the league did not treat the wrist matter as a serious violation.
What to watch next: how Leonard and Barnes share the floor once the season begins, and whether the Raptors' confidence in the deal is borne out by results.
