After many controversies and dramas with Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs organization, Kawhi was finally traded to the Toronto Raptors weeks ago. He doesn't speak to the media with his situation to the team and after much silence, Leonard finally pens his farewell to the only NBA team he played for his whole career and the only city he had called home.
Through a letter, Leonard finally says goodbye and thank you to the Spurs family, his former teammates throughout his 7 years with the team, his former coaches especially Greg Popovich, and to the fans of the San Antonio Spurs. The best two-way player in the league today and the sharpshooter Danny Green were traded by the Spurs to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jacob Poeltl and a 2019 first-round draft pick on July 18.
He says his goodbye through a letter he submitted to the San Antonio Express-News to make the city feel his true feelings to the franchise, the city and the fans. Leonard played for San Antonio from 2011 to 2018.
Here is what's inside Leonard's letter:
San Antonio,
I have been going back and forth the last few weeks trying to figure out the right things to say, and it comes down to two simple words: THANK YOU!
My family and I want to say THANK YOU to the entire Spurs organization and the people and fans of San Antonio.
THANK YOU to every one of my teammates I’ve played with over my seven years in the NBA.
THANK YOU Pop I’ll always be grateful for my growth under your guidance.
THANK YOU to the fans! There is not a more passionate or dedicated fan base than what I’ve witnessed in San Antonio.
Through all the ups and downs – I’m glad there were many more ups! – I’ll never forget what we have shared and accomplished together.
While I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career, I’ll always remember the city and the people of San Antonio! THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
– Kawhi Leonard
Leonard was the one to demand a trade and the Spurs organization immediately acts and find some trade options for Kawhi but it took weeks to finally find a deal that will be fair for San Antonio. DeRozan will now be the new man in San Antonio and he will surely be better under the guidance of Coach Greg Popovich. Many teams expressed interests in Kawhi like the Lakers, Sixers and others but they failed to find an offer that the Spurs will take interest.
After the trade, Coach Greg Popovich spoke to the media about Kawhi Leonard and all the medias only heard positive things from Greg Popovich. Coach Greg thinks that this trade will work out well for both teams.
"We wish him well as he moves into Toronto. I think he’ll be great, I think this trade is going to work out great for both teams. We wish Leonard well, but at this point it's time to move on. It's time to move on. Kawhi is not going to stop being a great player. But we’re thrilled with DeMar. ... To get back a proven NBA player and a proven All-Star, we have to be thrilled.” Popovich said on July 18.
We will see a very different San Antonio Spurs team next season. No Kawhi, no Tony Parker (signed with the Charlotte Hornets) and no Danny Green. We will see how can DeMar work out his mid range and isolation game with the San Antonio Spurs system and ball movement.
This will be an end of an era for the San Antonio Spurs, as there is only one player remaining in their Big three that built a strong dynasty in the past 20 years. Manu Ginobili is the only one remaining and he might be nearing to retirement. After Duncan's retirement back in 2016 and Tony Parker's departure, we may now feel different watching this Spurs team.
I'm not a San Antonio fan but I personally feels sad about this changes in the franchise. It's like the feeling when Kobe Bryant retires, It's very different and I will not be comfortable to see Tony Parker in a different jersey. I'm sure many Spurs fans will feel the same way but it will be a new look Spurs and we might see a new beginning and a bright future for the franchise. It will be a fun season for the Spurs.
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