CHICAGO - Kawhi Leonard is joining the Los Angeles Lakers.
In 2019.
Meanwhile, the disgruntled forward is heading to Toronto in what is could be a most miserable, and seemingly interminable, layover.
On the heels of his fractured relationship with the Spurs, the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Leonard got his trade wish granted. But instead of a desired California homecoming, Kawhi was evacuated to another country - Canada - for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a protected 2019 draft pick.
So instead of Hollywood's bright lights, LA's cool night life, plus the pomp and pageantry of the Laker Girls, Leonard got Toronto's oft-forgotten market, the frigid winters, and a purple dinosaur mascot.
Kawhi's latest saga gets a prominent slot in the "be careful what you wish for" file.
But according to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Leonard "has no desire to play" with the Raptors. So what now, what are his options?
Well, he could sit out, which means losing his entire income for the 2018-19 season because the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement allows the Raptors to levy fines on Leonard up to $20.1 million, his full salary.
Leonard, whose credentials include a championship ring and a NBA Finals MVP award in 2014, and back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year trophies in 2015 and 2016, is regarded as one of the mature stars in the league, way wiser that his 28 years.
If he refuses to suit up for Toronto, he will come across as a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum after not getting his candy.
Another option for Leonard is to retire to avoid the fines, according to Sports Illustrated. However, the NBA constitution and by-laws mandate that "he would have to wait one year after Toronto puts him on the voluntary retired list before he could return to the NBA."
Per The Washington Post, a unanimous vote by the Board of Governors would allow an earlier return to the NBA, but going that route means the Spurs will have the first crack at his services, which means returning to a place Leonard wanted to leave to begin with. I'm sure this is not the kind of full circle Kawhi had in mind
So here's a piece of unsolicited advice for Leonard: Pack your bags to Toronto and play like the All-Star that you are. Let your on-court brilliance wash away the off-court drama that somewhat tarnished your good name and reputation.
When the 2018-19 season is over, when your $20.1 million salary is safely in the bank, then you can ponder whether to stay in Toronto for another five years worth $190 million or go to L.A. and frolic with LeBron James with a four-year $141 million deal with the Lakers.
So, why does this seem so complicated to Kawhi?
Maybe his feelings were hurt that only Toronto wanted him in exchange for a lumbering big and a sometimes underachieving fellow All-Star in DeRozan, a beloved Raptor who normed 19.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 675 games and nine seasons with Toronto.
Marsellus Wallace, Ving Rhames' gangster character in the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction, uttered an unforgettable line that Leonard can learn from: "Pride only hurts, it never helps."
SOUND BITE OVER SUBSTANCE. Entering his sophomore season in Milwaukee last September of 2015, I had a chance to interview Jabari Parker in the weight room of the Bucks' practice old facility at Cousins Center.
Known for his academic excellence as much as he is for his athletics powers, Jabari was a pleasant interview. Smart and mild-mannered, he was also delightfully well-spoken, carefully choosing his words like a Duterte speechwriter.
After four years and two ACL tears, the 23-year old power forward is now the highest-paid Chicago Bull, thanks to a two-year $40 million deal he signed four days ago. Jabari was a guest at sports talk radio 670 The Score in Chicago yesterday and it generated the ESPN headline: "Players not paid for defense."
At first glance, it seemed like a case of verbal diarrhea. And if you wouldn't read the entire article, you would suffer from what the Brits might call a stunning lack of clarity.
What Parker really meant was that offense was the side of his bread that is buttered, and while he admits that playing defense is not his strength, he doesn't consider it as a weakness, either.
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Parker's 109.5 defensive rating was 433rd in the NBA. But Parker countered by saying, "I've scored 30 and 20 on a lot of guys who say they play defense."
I've always liked Jabari. Still do. But while I agree with him that offense is where he should focus his game on, it would be nice if he would make inroads on his so-so defense, especially with a fat contract that pays him $243,000 a game for the effort.
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