The Toronto Raptors were in contact with Kawhi Leonard and his representatives multiple times on Wednesday, league sources told Sportsnet's Michael Grange, and "all conversations (were) positive, forward-looking."
Following the trade announcement on Wednesday, ESPN's Chris Hayes indicated that the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year didn't want to play in Toronto and could consider refusing to report there. However, later in the day, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Leonard was warming to the idea of playing north of the border.
The Raptors traded franchise all-time leading scorer DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs in the deal, along with Jakob Poeltl and a heavily protected first-round pick.
Leonard, 27, was limited to nine games last season due to a severe quad injury, but word in June was that he was nearing 100 percent.
He has not spoken publicly about his injury or subsequent divorce from the Spurs.
