NBA Finals 2019: Raptors emerge as betting odds favourites to sign Kawhi Leonard

Carlan Gay

NBA Finals 2019: Raptors emerge as betting odds favourites to sign Kawhi Leonard image

While Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors attempt to win the franchise's first ever NBA title, the elephant in the room of whether or not Leonard will remain in the north continues to get debated upon daily.

On Wednesday, new information has surfaced on the Leonard stays front. According to Sportsbook Odds Shark, the Raptors are now the favourites to keep Kawhi's services beyond this year.

Toronto holds -105 odds on signing Kawhi in the offseason followed by the L.A. Clippers at +120, Brooklyn Nets at +650, L.A. Lakers at +800 and the New York Knicks who remain a long shot at +1000.


Earlier this week, it was reported that the Raptors' superstar had purchased property in Toronto.

With the success of the team this season, one would wonder if that is what shifted the betting odds in the favour of the Raptors.

Leonard has a player option for the 2019-20 season which most expect him to decline to become a free agent this summer.

The Raptors will have the ability to offer him one more season and about $50 million dollars more than any other team can in the open market.

Whether the extra year and cash will sway Leonard remains to be seen, as just last summer he turned down a supermax contract from the San Antonio Spurs which would have given him around $221-million dollars over five years.

Kawhi and the Raptors will take the floor for Game 3 on Wednesday night with hopes to regain the series lead in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.

Carlan Gay