This Kawhi Leonard News is Terrible

Right now I'm just going to reiterate what I've been saying for a large part of my YouTube career. Not just a large part of my YouTube career, but a large part of my basketball watching experience. When it comes to the NBA, sometimes you just have to move with your best interest in mind. And that's me basically saying that sometimes you just have to be selfish. I can't tell you guys how many times I've seen players take discounts, how many times I've seen players do things for other players, or for teams, for that thing that they did to come back and bite them when they had better offers, better deals, better opportunities on the table. When I tell you Kawhi did Russell Westbrook so dirty, saying that Kawhi did Russell Westbrook so dirty is not telling the full story at all. If you guys are anything like me I think this video may leave you in disbelief. Now keep in mind, this is basically going to be me reacting to the news that was reported by ESPN. So this is a report, of course nothing is official, and I actually advise you guys to take all of these reports as reports, and kind of have your own opinion on situations like this one. Do you guys remember the first time DeAndre Jordan was supposed to become a Dallas Maverick, and then a whole bunch of things happened, and the Clippers talked him into remaining a Los Angeles Clipper, only for that team to break apart shortly after? Now guys, before we go any further, be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications because you will not want to miss another Get Like Coop video. And that's facts. We are going to be going hard all year, I'm going to be bringing you guys non-stop NBA content, so hitting that noty bell would definitely be clutch. Also, be sure to check out my podcast, me the Flight Mike, Mike Korzemba, we bring you guys Laced Up, one of the best basketball podcasts out. The link to Laced Up is going to be down in the description below. Kawhi has gained massive notoriety in the NBA, not only for his elite basketball skills, but also for his quiet demeanor. Kawhi's quiet demeanor has allowed Kawhi to fly under the radar. Let me know if I'm tripping because I'm not always right, and I never consider my opinion to be a fact. I'm always open to what other people have to say. As much as I love Kawhi Leonard, I feel like he's been one of the least criticized stars of our generation. Look, man, I can't even lie. I love Kawhi's straightforward approach, but I don't love what he reportedly did to Russell Westbrook. After Kawhi won a championship with the Toronto Raptors, everybody was on edge. Everybody wanted to know what Kawhi Leonard's next move would be. As somebody that was still looking to build a legacy, Kawhi had to make his next move his best move. The Toronto Raptors were a phenomenal situation. They had young talent, they had veterans, and most importantly, they had one of the best VPs in the game of basketball. Ultimately, none of that would end up mattering because Kawhi would decide to join the Los Angeles Clippers and play alongside Paul George. But before Kawhi joined the Los Angeles Clippers and teamed up with Paul George, the Clippers first had to acquire Paul George. To acquire Paul George, the Clippers would send out Shea Gilgis Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, the Clippers first round picks from 2022, 2024, 2026. They also had to send out draft picks from Miami that were from 2021 and 2023, alongside pick swaps for the years 2023 and 2025. The Clippers gave up a ton to go out and get Paul George. Now here is where things start to get big wild. So in the summer of 2019, while the rest of the NBA world fretted over who reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard would choose between the Toronto Raptors and his hometown Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers, Westbrook was coming up with a plan to collaborate with him on a homecoming. Westbrook had become a father of three the previous November and while he'd made a home and carved out a Hall of Fame legacy in OKC, the chance to live and play in Los Angeles where grandparents and his large extended family and friends could visit every day held deep appeal. Teaming up with Leonard would be the fastest way there. So he placed the call according to multiple sources, but Kawhi didn't just take the call as one native son of Los Angeles to another, ponder it and file it away. He used it. According to multiple sources, Leonard then called Westbrook's teammate in OKC, Paul George, and told him he'd rather team up with him on a homecoming. George had always longed to play in front of his family as well, but had formed a close bond with Westbrook in their two seasons together in OKC and was content to stay. So pretty much Kawhi got the call from Westbrook to team up, thought that, hey, that must mean that Paul George will probably want out too, got Paul George to commit to coming home to Los Angeles. Keep in mind at this time, Paul George was a legit MVP candidate. I'm not saying he was ever going to win the award. I'm saying his play was on a completely different level. Also keep in mind that Russell Westbrook has never been any scrub from the moment he entered the NBA. He was a beast. Westbrook's rookie year, he would average 15, 5, and 5. While Westbrook was a late bloomer, his ascension was anything but slow. If this ESPN article holds any type of weight, the fact that Kawhi would do this to Russell Westbrook, a Los Angeles native, is actually pretty dirty. In the comments below, let me know what you think about this whole situation. Is the game the game or did Kawhi go too far? If Kawhi feels like he wouldn't have been a fit with Russell Westbrook, does Kawhi owe Russell Westbrook anything? Do you guys think that it's any coincidence that Russell Westbrook gave the Clippers 40 that following season? I mean he was 13 of 31 from the field, but he had 10 rebounds and he had 5 assists. Also he knocked down 12 out of 13 free throws. Here we go again. Yesterday it was reported that Kawhi Leonard declined his $36 million player option for next season and is deciding to become a free agent. Now the expectation is that Leonard will negotiate a new deal to stay with the Clippers. Chris Haynes also reported that Kawhi is now willing to listen to other teams in free agency. So pretty much the expectation is that Kawhi re-signs. But at the same time, the fact that Kawhi is willing to listen to other teams has to be terrifying if you're a Clippers fan. Because you mortgaged your future to go out and get Kawhi Leonard. I told you guys what they gave up to bring him and Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers earlier in this video. It was a lot. My question for you guys, even if Kawhi re-signs, where would you most want to see him play basketball? I know a lot of people want to see him alongside Luka Doncic, which would be absolutely mind-boggling. I know a lot of people want to see him alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, which would be tons of fun. Right now, I don't think I have any strong opinion on where I would want to see Kawhi. But I will say this, Kawhi opting out makes a ton of sense and I think it would be in his best interest to lock up a long-term deal for a max. While Kawhi is not old yet, he's getting older and the injuries are starting to pile up. If the NBA has taught us anything, it's get your money while you can. Clicking the video on the screen right now is a great way to support my channel. I'm Get Like Coop, bringing you guys the scoop until our next upload.