The Toronto Raptors have hatched a plan that could help them keep Kawhi Leonard after the player becomes a free agent in the summer.
Leonard joined the team via a trade from the San Antonio Spurs during the offseason and his influence has seen the team emerge as the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. But the ride could come to an end in less than a year, with the player set to become a free agent next summer.
Many are of the view that the superstar forward will head to Los Angeles to join either the Lakers or the Clippers next summer, yet the Raptors are pretty confident they can keep him and plan to do so by making sure his health and fitness are at optimum levels.
RELATED: RAPTORS' ABILITY TO COMPETE WON'T MEAN KAWHI LEONARD STAYS
“Yes [we are keen to keep Leonard],” team GM Bobby Webster said to TSN 1050 (h/t Express). These are the internal talks and things that we have.
“I think his health has been better since day one, and that is important to him. It is all about being attentive and pushing him, all the things you would want to do with your own health. Our medical team are thinking for the long term and they are the best in the NBA. It is amazing what we can health and medical wise.
“And then what happens on the court by winning, him getting better and the team getting better.
“It is really about the team having a chance to make some serious noise.”
Webster also said that the player has told the team what he needs to keep him happy, yet it's something they aren't willing to disclose. They do believe that they are capable of living up to his expectations and are also helped by the fact that he doesn't pay attention to social media and rumors too much.
"Yes [Kawhi has told us what makes him happy] and from the very first moment in July and that’s obviously something that we keep confidential,” the GM added. "As far as communication with him and understanding his need - yes.
“I think it has been documented that Kawhi is not a huge social media player.
“I would be surprised if he read a tonne of stuff.
“In that sense, it is our job to monitor what is going on around the team and also not let it affect us.
“I do think Kawhi is unique in the sense of he is not every minute checking what is going on on the outside.”
What This Means
The Raptors aren't heavily tipped to keep Kawhi in their ranks, but they are keen on proving everyone wrong.
They will hold some really valuable cards if they manage to usurp the Golden State Warriors and become the new Kings of the NBA. But, then again, the player could already know where he will be playing next season.
NEXT: JUSTISE WINSLOW READY TO STEP UP IN GORAN DRAGIC'S ABSENCE
