Despite a tumultuous regular season, highlighted by a persistent quadriceps injury, the Spurs are brushing off trade interest in Kawhi Leonard and hope to repair the relationship between both sides, Ken Berger of Bleacher Report writes in an in-depth feature.
Leonard appeared in just nine games this season as he dealt with a right quadriceps injury. He was absent from the team during the first round of the postseason, where the Spurs lost to the Warriors in five games. With Leonard set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season, it seems plausible for San Antonio to consider shopping its superstar — after a troublesome season — to get something of value in return.
Berger quotes several executives who believe Leonard wants out of San Antonio and that the Spurs would be smart to deal him now. The team also does not like the idea of its best player seeking outside medical help, which he did for most of the season in an effort to return. However, Berger also points to the last offseason when LaMarcus Aldridge, after a disappointing season, wanted out of San Antonio. Berger reported that Aldridge even reached out to former teammate Damian Lillard about possibly returning to Portland.
Head coach Gregg Popovich took control and mended the situation; Aldridge ended up signing an extension and enjoyed his best season with the Spurs.
“You can never say done because everybody thought that the Aldridge thing was over and that there was no chance to salvage that,” a person with knowledge of the situation said. “Pop went in and smoothed it over. You can’t underestimate the power of the Pop in these situations.”
Leonard, 26, remains an elite player with a third-place Most Valuable Player finish and two Defensive Player of the Year awards on his resume. It’s possible the Spurs change direction but for now, the team wants to repair the rift.
He should go already. its gonna be awkward if he stays.
Even if he comes back that team is not good enough to win.
If they let others walk outside of Leonard, Aldridge and Murray, they can sign FA’s and make a difference.
For all we know their could be no truth to any of this! The Spurs will do what’s right and they know what they should do.
“You can’t underestimate the power of the Pop in these situations.” LMAO. As with LMA, Pop created the problem. Tim Duncan is gone. He needs to stop believing his own press.
LMA created his own problem. Never made it ‘his’ team. Intimidated by Duncan’s aura, but seemed to have gotten it right this year.
Too simplistic. Issues of role and fit involve the coach and the player, and the coach more and more when he recruited the player as a max FA knowing his game. I think it’s Pop that’s out of sorts in dealing with his stars outside of the umbrella of the Duncan team culture.
SA is not a FA destination place, they need to trade him for the best offer possible….high draft picks and young players.
Pop did not create the issue with LMA, LMA’s inability to fit into the Spurs system the first year was the issue. LMA and Pop got together, figured out how to better use Aldridge, and he had an All-Star season.
Leonard is different, if what you read is true. Aldridge wasn’t happy with his role on the floor, which scheme changes fix. Kawhi’s issue may be much deeper. Knowing that both Leonard and Pop will not spend time in the media talking about each other, I think there will be a quiet sit down where either they repair their relationship, or Kawhi asks to leave. By keeping it quiet, Leonard’s value stays where it’s at, and the Spurs can recover from this off year whichever way it goes.
Spurs should bail. It’s just a question of timing. There’s no reason to believe he wants to return, although, it would be best for his eventual new team if they did not have to give up so much to get him. Wonder what more he has in mind to reduce his trade value!
Of course he could wait a year and sign with whoever has enough cap space. But that will probably be a lesser, smaller group than who can trade for him.
Buford should call up Ainge and center a package around Jaylen Brown and the Kings unprotected pick from the Tatum deal for Kawhi
Ainge won’t do it. But, if offer Hayward straight up for him if he signed an extension.
Spurs wouldn’t do it either. They wouldn’t take that contract back.
The Spurs should request Tatum, Rozier III and a 1st round draft pick for Leonard …
Leonard and a #1 to Celts for Brown and Tatum.
Celts rocking Irving, Hayward, Leonard, Horford, and possibly a nice PF/center of the lottery balls fall their way.
Celtics would say no to both Tatum and Brown, especially without an extension.
If the Celts landed a top three, it just wouldn’t be fair.
6 percent chance?
The Suns should call the Spurs and dangle everything they can.
The Suns aren’t ready to win and won’t be for a couple of years. They’d be foolish to trade Booker or their #1 this year (could be first overall), or even Jackson, for a guy who’s unlikely to re-up with them, and, even if he does, he might be past his prime and eating up 40 mm of cap space by the time they are.
What about the suggestion Steven Smith threw out there… Kyrie for Kawhi?
Really I think both sides wouldn’t pull the trigger… but interesting thought.
Popovich would need to begin taking BP pills.
I would think he already is with the drama the team has endured this year with Kawhi. Aren’t both free agents after next year?
Either way, like I said I don’t either team would take that chance, would be less likely signing the new player coming in.
Other than the original Isiah Thomas (unlikely to replace Ainge as Celts GM), nobody is trading Tatum and Brown in the same deal (and likely not Tatum in any event). They are on rookie deals and 19 and 20, respectively. KL is 26 and coming off a year when he barely played.
Also, the Celts have dutifully avoided being taxpayers in the past, and while that might happen with the current group, dealing for KL without giving up one of Horford, Hayward or KI would mean over 120 mm for those four alone if KL and KI re-up (which would have to be the assumption), and over 200 mm in salary and tax. Not happening. So, 1 of those 3 would almost have to be in the deal. ALL 3 have trade kickers. Horford is more valuable to the Celts than his trade value (and if in this deal, he would very difficult to replace). KI is not signed after next year (just like KL), so it could work as the basis of a deal, but why would the Celts do it? Hayward and couple of 1st rounders would be a sound basketball trade offer, but are the Celts (and Stevens) really going to ship out Hayward a year after recruiting him and before he’s had a chance to play there?
let’s go @Sixers #TTP #TrustTheProcess