
Report Kawhi Leonard Purchased Toronto Property Fuels #HeStay Debate
Will Kawhi Leonard stay or will he go?
That’s the biggest question Raptors fans have been debating this NBA season. In fact, plenty of Torontonians have pulled tricks to entice the star player to stay, even going as far as offering him free food for life and a free penthouse of his choice if he re-signs with the Toronto Raptors.
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That’s why a new report about Leonard purchasing a Toronto property has some fans convinced he’ll stay in the 6ix.
“What we’ve heard is that he has purchased property in Toronto,” TSN 1050 radio host Michael Landsberg said on Monday. “We’ve heard this now from two different sources indicating that there’s something there.”
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David Thorpe, of TrueHoop.com, was a radio guest on Landsberg’s show and corroborated the report. Thorpe claimed that sources told him Leonard planned to re-sign with the Raptors “at least on a short-term deal.”
Micahel Landsberg on TSN1050: Kawhi has bought a Toronto property.
David Thorpe says everyone he’s talked to who knows/is connected to Kawhi agrees that TOR has done what they needed to do. Says he could always change his mind but believes Kawhi will sign a 1-2 year extension.
— James (@Account4hockey) June 3, 2019
However, these are all just rumours. The sources have not been identified and the details remain vague making it hard to tell whether or not this report is actually new information.
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We already know Leonard purchased property in Toronto. Back in September, NBA analyst Peter Yannopoulos confirmed this in a tweet, distinctly noting that the 27-year-old player owned the property and was not renting. However, no other details of the Toronto home were released.
Kawhi Leonard has bought ( not rented) a new home in Toronto. Good news for the Raptors. #RDS #TSN #NBA
— Peter Yannopoulos (@PeteYannopoulos) September 9, 2018
To confuse Raptors fans even more, Leonard reportedly bought a $13.3-million San Diego property in January. This only further fuelled the “will he stay or will he go” debate.
Since news broke on Monday that Leonard purchased property in Toronto, fans have been sharing their theories on Twitter about why he would do this.
Reasons why Kawhi is doing this:
1. He’s staying in Toronto.
2. Taking advantage of a property opportunity in case he does decide to stay in Toronto.
3. Just wants a property in Toronto. https://t.co/ULMO581q4l
— JNLA (@jnavla) June 3, 2019
Not just yet. This sort of confirms the report yesterday as well that Kawhi is looking at a shorter term deal in Toronto so he can be a FA again once he’s eligible for the 10 year veteran supermax. Stay in Toronto, win, get healthy and secure the bag in 2 years.
— Fun Guy (@CP_CSR) June 4, 2019
Another said they wouldn’t be surprised if the recent rumours were true.
If it’s true that Kawhi bought property in Toronto and he’s going to stay with the Raptors, are we surprised?! Hard not to fall in love with the city and the fans. He even talks about his love for Toronto now all the time. Kawhi belongs here. He’s nice like a Canadian.
— El (@eldasworld) June 4, 2019
But one user did point out that it was peculiar that Leonard would buy a home when he was offered a penthouse in the city for free.
Why would Kawhi Leonard buy a house in Toronto when he was offered a free penthouse apartment to stay?
— Jody (@lolimshot) June 4, 2019
Either way, there are plenty of reasons for Leonard to stay in Toronto, and fans are hoping their love for him will be enough to convince him.
If I was kawhi, I’d stay in Toronto just to keep the nickname King of The North
— Director Dino (@Rondino_) June 3, 2019