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[QUOTE="jncuse, post: 5210878, member: 1969"]
I have yet to comment and reflect on the end of the Clipper / Kawhi championship window.  It's been 5 years since he left the Raptors.

1.  Kawhi chose the situation that he felt was best for him.   His hometown area.   His right

2.  Clippers had no choice but to do the Paul George trade at that ime, which was a significant overpayment as OKC had incredible leverage.    That was the cost of getting Kawhi so they had to do it.

3.  The big issue that I maintained from the beginning was that Kawhi's trust issues with management (and it may be warranted from San Antonio), forced the Clipper's hand to do the PG trade immediately which resulted in some asset loss as OKC held so much leverage.   This asset loss hamstrung their ability to maneuver in subsequent years.   Some patience by Kawhi in allowing the Clippers to take a bit more time to make their moves in the summer of 2019 could have made the difference longer term.

4.   I still believe that Kawhi would have had more chance at winning a title in 2020 if he stayed with the Raptors.   Beyond 2020, its totally debatable as 3 of the core Raptors in 2020 (Lowry, Ibaka, Gasol) got very old, very quick, and moves would have needed to have been done around the maturing core of Siakam, OG, FVV, Powell.   The 2019/2020 Raptors went 53-19 and were incredibly balanced 1-7, the second best record in the league.  That being said who knows with that Covid playoffs.

5.  One day Kawhi will have his jersey retired by the Raptors as he should.   And if Wendel Clark can have a statue on Maple Leaf Square, then Kawhi will certainly deserve one too although for vastly different reasons.
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