How to keep Kawhi Leonard in Toronto with bikes

On Monday, the Toronto Raptors hold their parade on the streets of Toronto and city officials say as many as two million people could show up to witness the historic celebration. NBA playoffs MVP Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors to their first championship title and hosted the Larry O’Brien trophy in Oakland on Thursday after a six game win over the Warriors. Despite the crowning achievement, Leonard might walk as a free agent on June 30. This got us at Canadian Cycling Magazine thinking; what could we offer the 27-year-old superstar to keep playing basketball in Toronto?

While we aren’t sure the claw will take to cycling, you can sure bet we’d like to try and entice him to stay with bikes.

A Pinarello Dogma F-12

A star deserves the best and what brand produces flashier high-end race machines than Pinarello. The new Dogma F-12 is befitting of a king and we are sure the Italian manufacturer will produce a custom frame for Leonard whose 6’7″ frame is too large for any of the stock options. As Leonard moves forward with a schedule dictated by load management to not aggravate any injuries, the bike will be a great way for him to stay in shape with low impact exercise.

Custom king of the north VéloColour paint job

Toronto-based frame painters Noah Rosen and Suzanne Carlsen are the best at their business in North America. As such, we’d like to arrange a proper custom paint job befitting of the king of the north.

Domestiques for life

While a 6’7″ NBA basketball player will be hard to hide from the wind, we’d love to offer Leonard our domestique services for life. We will carry his bottles up climbs, offer him snacks mid-ride and do our very best to help him get as many KOM’s as his heart desires.

Group rides always start at Kawhi’s

Isn’t it annoying having to travel to the ride start destination? You need to wake up a little earlier and make your way to the departure destination all alone. While the rumours that Leonard bought property in Toronto were shot down, if he settles into Toronto we promise from here on out all Canadians will come to in for the start of the ride.

Kawhine and Dine at all coffee stops

While restaurants across Toronto and Canada are offering Leonard free meals for life if he stays in the Big Smoke, we will make sure that every coffee stop on rides he’s treated to the pastry and coffee of his choice, free of charge. Not that a superstar on a maxed out NBA contract needs to be counting his pennies.

Locker and bike at the Milton Velodrome

While Kawhi says he can wear a coat in winter to protect himself from the cold, we think it’s a good idea if he moves his training indoors during the winter months. A locker at the Milton Velodrome, access to Cycling Canada’s top coachs and a fancy track bike waiting for him there will allow Leonard to make the most out of his time in the saddle year around.