As the Kawhi Leonard trade rumblings continue to unfold, the Washington Post's Tim Bontemps surmises that the Toronto Raptors have "generated buzz" as a potential landing spot for the San Antonio Spurs' beleaguered star.

Bontemps adds that with LeBron James now out of the Eastern Conference after signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, Raptors president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri might be willing to swing for the fences and move all-stars DeMar DeRozan or Kyle Lowry in such a deal to acquire Leonard.

Many outlets began reporting in June that the 26-year-old has a strong desire to play for the Lakers as he's a native of Los Angeles, but trade talks have stalled between the two Western Conference rivals. The Spurs reportedly were asking for a king's ransom from the Lakers, with potential packages including L.A.’s top young players Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram and a plethora of draft picks, and the Spurs don’t appear willing to budge or negotiate much.

According to Bontemps, the Philadelphia 76ers have consistently remained atop the list of teams expected to land Leonard. Brett Brown, Gregg Popovich’s longtime assistant, now runs the Sixers, and Philadelphia is in the Eastern Conference, which appeals much more to the Spurs. But Bontemps notes that the one thing that was consistent was that such a deal will likely hinge on whether Philadelphia makes Markelle Fultz available.

Leonard's relationship has deteriorated with the Spurs' organization after ESPN reported that the former NBA Finals MVP believes the organization mishandled his quadriceps injury, as well as comments made by Popovich and teammate Tony Parker regarding his injury as Leonard sat out most of the season. Leonard played in only nine games in 2017-18, scoring 16.2 points a night, well below his average of 25.5 in 2016-17.

Leonard has one year remaining on his five-year, $94.3 million contract signed prior to the 2015-16 season.