And just like that, he was gone. Early Saturday morning, league sources confirmed to the Star that Kawhi Leonard agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the Toronto Raptors to pair up with Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here’s what the U.S. media is saying about the bombshell news that caused a ripple effect across the NBA.Well, that was unexpected...In the days leading up to Leonard’s decision, NBA analysts and experts bet heavily on the Raptors and the Los Angeles Lakers as frontrunners to sign the Finals MVP. But in a stunning twist of fate, Leonard decided to sign with the Clippers after successfuly encouraging George to request a trade from the Thunder and sign with the Clippers as well. “I was wrong. Dead wrong,” wrote Jalen Rose shortly after the announcement (Rose had previously predicted Leonard would re-sign with the Raptors). “No one saw this timeline or the Clips also adding PG! Wow!!!”“Absolutely stealth moves by both Kawhi & the Clippers,” added Chris Broussard, a Fox Sports commentator. “Props to (the Clippers’) front office...for moving heaven & earth to do what it took to get Kawhi.”Stephen A. Smith said he was “stunned, to say the least,” particularly by the Paul George trade. “The Paul George part is what’s stunning,” he said on ESPN. “It’s one thing to see Kawhi end up a Clipper, it’s another thing to see the Clippers pull off getting him with Paul George. That is a shock.”Read more:Bruce Arthur: Kawhi Leonard gave Toronto everything — and now he’s going homeKawhi Leonard agrees to sign with Los Angeles ClippersKa-bye, Kawhi: NBA community reacts to Kawhi Leonard news with mixed emotionsKawhi wanted to make a Super Team of his ownSome analysts speculated that the Clippers were the best way for Leonard to form his own super team, apart from those already formed by teams like th ...
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