Kawhi Leonard said he was "very close" to signing with the Los Angeles Lakers or Toronto Raptors.

The situation changed for Leonard when they were able to trade for Paul George.

"I was very close. Real close," Leonard said. "But when (the Clippers) presented the opportunity of playing with Paul (George) it was easy, it was a yes. I said let's get it going."

Leonard also spoke of how excited he is to play with George.

"This is probably going to be my first time playing with an elite player on his level around the same age as me," Leonard said. "Same talent. I'm excited."

The NBA is investigating whether improper inducements were offered to players to circumvent the salary cap this offseason.

The issue was raised by multiple team owners during the NBA's board of governors.

There were also multiple reports this month suggesting that Kawhi Leonard’s representatives, in arranging his blockbuster move from the Toronto Raptors to the Los Angeles Clippers, had asked for perks that would violate the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

Stephen A. Smith said Dennis Robertson had asked other teams for houses, planes and guaranteed sponsorship money. Smith added, “I have no idea whether this is true or not.” 

In another report, The Sports Network in Canada said Robertson had asked for “things players don’t generally ask for in standard contract negotiations.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves were fined $3.5 million and penalized five first round picks due to under-the-table deals they signed with Joe Smith.

Kyle Lowry hired Mark Bartelstein of Priority Sports as his new agent, reported Michael Scotto of The Athletic.

Lowry, who was previously represented by Andy Miller of ASM Sports, will be a free agent after this upcoming season. 

The Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors had gripes about how Kawhi Leonard lead on each team in free agency, according to Brian Windhorst.

"I heard complaints from the Lakers that they got played. I heard complaints from the Raptors that Kawhi came in and asked for the sun, the moon, the stars then left them at the altar," said Windhorst on The Hoop Collective podcast.  

Leonard reportedly recruited Paul George to join him on the Clippers, leading to George asking for a trade from the Thunder.

League sources later told Adrian Wojnarwoski that without George, Leonard would have signed with the Lakers. 

Kyle Lowry has undergone a procedure to repair a tendon injury in his left thumb.

Lowry hopes to be ready for the USA Basketball training camp and FIBA World Cup later this summer.

Lowry played through the injury during the playoffs.

Cameron Payne has agreed to a two-year deal with the Toronto Raptors.

Payne will receive partial guarantees in the first season of the deal.

Payne had an impressive performance in Summer League.

The Toronto Raptors have signed Dewan Hernandez to a partially guaranteed three-year contract, league sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Hernandez was drafted from Miami with the 59th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Toronto Raptors announced Monday they have re-signed forward Patrick McCaw. 

“Patrick is a multi-dimensional player who brings a lot of skills to our team and can play a variety of positions,” said Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster. “We’re really glad to have him back.”

McCaw, 6-foot-7, 185 pounds, averaged 2.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 13.7 minutes in 29 games (one start) with Toronto and Cleveland last season. He shot .413 (26-63) from the field, including .321 (9-28) from three-point range. McCaw averaged 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 13.2 minutes in 26 contests with the Raptors after signing as a free agent Jan. 10.

The Toronto Raptors signed undrafted free agent Terence Davies to a two-year deal. 

The deal includes a full guarantee for the first season.

Davis, who played at Ole Miss, turned down several two-way deals during the NBA draft.

The Oklahoma City Thunder asked the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and four unprotected first round picks before even starting to match up salaries in exchange for Paul George, sources tell Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star.

Sources also say Russell Westbrook was never discussed in talks with Raptors.

The Raptors never got the sense, however, that the Thunder were serious about completing a trade of George with them. Toronto felt they were being used as leverage.