Raptors add friend of Kawhi

The Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes ended July 18, when the star was dealt from San Antonio to Toronto.

The Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes restarted immediately.

The Raptors appear to be doing everything they can to appease the bewildering forward, beginning with filling out their coaching ranks with a friend of his. Toronto is plucking Jeremy Castleberry, a close friend of Leonard’s, from San Antonio’s staff and bringing him to the Raptors, according to ESPN.

Castleberry is a longtime friend who played with Leonard both in high school and at San Diego State.

When an unhappy Leonard was traded — a move he requested — his frown wasn’t immediately changed. According to ESPN, he didn’t want to play for the Raptors, either, as his eyes remained on Los Angeles. Leonard is in the last year of his contract, so if he’s bound for Tinseltown, he doesn’t have to wait much longer.

But the Raptors, seeing how Oklahoma City successfully sold itself to Paul George last year, hope they can persuade Leonard to stay, and they have a monetary advantage as no team can beat the five-year, $190 million contract they can offer.

Apart from an empty, thank-you statement to Spurs fans, Leonard hasn’t spoken about what he wants, and so room is being cleared for the 2019 free agent, just in case.