The San Antonio Spurs have reportedly agreed to trade All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, as part of a larger deal, that includes Toronto's All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports "neither is expressing enthusiasm for the deal."
As part of the trade, the Spurs will also send Danny Green to Toronto. In addition to DeRozan, San Antonio receives Jakob Poeltl and a top-20 protected 2019 first-round pick.
DeRozan, 28, was reportedly informed of the trade late Tuesday night by Raptors president Masai Ujiri and it is expected that the league office will finalize the deal in a trade call sometime today. According to Woj, sources close to DeRozan told ESPN's Chris Haynes that the All-Star guard met with Toronto brass in Las Vegas during summer league and was told he would not be traded.
Per ESPN:
"Ujiri is taking a significant risk in pursuing the trade. Ujiri will make the deal with a determination that he can sell Leonard on re-signing with the Raptors next summer in free agency, sources said. Toronto would be able to offer Leonard a five-year, $190 million contract next summer. If Leonard left the Raptors, he could sign a four-year, $141 million deal with a team with the available salary-cap space."
Leonard, 27, has been eyeing a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, but it looks like he might have to wait until next summer when he can join LeBron James and co. as a free agent.
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