Kawhi watch takes off again after a quiet Fourth of July
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

Quiet and calm descended on the Kawhi Leonard madness on Thursday with the two-time NBA Finals most valuable player digesting what he had heard and seen in a few days of free agency pitches and everyone taking a minute from trying to predict an unpredictable future to enjoy a national holiday in the United States with family and friends.But the Kawhi-watch took off again on Twitter as people claimed that an MLSE plane landed at San Diego airport Friday morning.After the feeding frenzy of earlier this week — and the over-the-top reaction to a mere visit by Leonard to Toronto — it was time Thursday to take stock of what was said, promised and hinted at before Leonard ultimately decides his fate.This is what became apparent after yet another day of trying to do the impossible and read tea leaves as they swirl around the cup:The Raptors remain confident they have done enough to convince Leonard to take their offer of up to five years and $190 million (all figures U.S.) to return to Toronto.It’s an opinion they’ve held since the process first began but was only reinforced after they were able to make a presentation to Leonard and his advisers on Wednesday. No details of that pitch were readily available but the Raptors went into it confidently.Danny Green, the other significant Toronto free agent, is waiting to see what Leonard does but has at least one alternative available to him.According to league sources, the Dallas Mavericks are holding salary-cap space and a roster spot for Green, which is both a measure of respect for the Raptors guard and a statement about the dwindling free-agent market.Green, who played last season in Toronto on the final year of a deal that paid him $10 million a season, has made it no secret he wants to return to Toronto first and foremost. But whether the Raptors will offer him a contract if Leonard doesn’t return is doubtful and the Mavs, with still more than $18 million in cap space available, are content ...