As a Raptors fan, this is a "heart versus head" situation for me. My heart doesn't want it to happen because Demar is the most loyal Raptor of all-time. My head is fine with it because the Raptors need to do something. I feel spoiled when I say this, but winning 50 games every year only to lose in the second round of the playoffs is getting old. Kawhi gives us a legitimate Finals chance, even if it's only for one year.
They did need to do SOMETHING. But this isn't it. Kawhi is going to either sit out the year, or simply walk. No amount of charisma from your GM, or the fan base, is going to convince him to stay. This was a very bad move by your GM (I can't spell his last name off the top of my head), and I'm shocked he went this route. DeRozan is one of my favorite players in the league, and as noted by all, extremely loyal, and works hard. The least they could have done, the very least, was told him the truth about their desire to trade him. But instead, at least according to reports, they lied to him, and then dumped him like trash.
That shit's wrong. Business is business, but you can conduct it with class. Toronto's leadership obviously didn't get the memo. I hope DeRozan tears up the Raptors next season big time, and he will, and he'll stay classy while doing it.
As for Kawhi, dude is hard to read. He's quiet, but his quiet nature is now making him look like a primadonna. No one really knows, outside of his friends and teammates, what kind of a dude he really is. All I know is, looking from the outside, he looks like an absolute ass clown. A spoiled came from nothing, but now is a superstar. And that may be totally off base, and I really hope it is, but that's what he looks like.
I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if he does indeed show up at Team USA, do his workouts, show he is healthy, and then sit out the year and incur the fines (which would entail his entire 20.1 million salary), and then sign with the Lakers for the max (and a full year off) next off season. But man, dude just looks like a douche right now, and if it's not him, and he's listening to people, it is time to get those people out of his life.