The 2018 MVP finalist was always destined to be a precious commodity this offseason, but several events during the NBA Finals this past week have increased his value around the league. Common sense dictates that this could help David Griffin and the New Orleans Pelicans at the bargaining table.
With Kawhi Leonard leading the Toronto Raptors to their first Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, Masai Ujiri looks like the biggest genius in the game today, gambling on an elite player in the final year of his contract and ignoring the threat of an imminent departure to Los Angeles.