While no Kawhi Leonard trade appears imminent, reports on the star forward continue to surface. Already this week, we’ve heard that several suitors that have inquired on Leonard are reluctant to give up key young players, as the Spurs’ asking price for their two-time Defensive Player of the Year remains very high.
Here are a few more of the latest rumblings on Leonard:
- Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks discussed the Leonard situation at length in an ESPN podcast, with Wojnarowski suggesting that teams making offers for Kawhi don’t necessarily hear back from the Spurs, who simply put each offer up on their “board” for evaluation.
- Leonard’s lack of a traditional agent may complicate his situation, according to Wojnarowski, who notes that Kawhi is being represented by Mitch Frankel – primarily a football agent – and Leonard’s uncle Dennis Robinson. As Wojnarowski and Marks explain, a veteran NBA agent can often provide an effective back channel in trade talks as potential suitors assess how likely a player is to re-sign after being acquired. In Leonard’s case though, interested teams don’t really have a relationship with Kawhi’s camp and haven’t built a certain level of trust with Frankel and/or Robinson.
- While potential Leonard suitors will be wary of his health, the Sixers may be best positioned on that front, says Wojnarowski: “Philly’s unique because one of their primary team physicians was the doctor that Kawhi went to for a second opinion in New York. I think on the surface, people go, ‘How could that be?’ But it just is. So I think it’s very conceivable that Philly has more medical knowledge of Kawhi Leonard than the Spurs do because their doctors had more access to him.”
- Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports suggested this week that LeBron James‘ decision to sign with the Lakers may make Leonard more interested in joining the Clippers. However, Wojnarowski isn’t so sure that the idea of going head-to-head with LeBron in Los Angeles as a member of the city’s less iconic franchise would be all that appealing to Kawhi, who might feel dwarfed in that situation.
- The Spurs aren’t yet resigned to having passed a point of no return with Leonard, according to Jabari Young of The San Antonio Express-News (link via NBA.com), who says that as long as Kawhi hasn’t been traded, there’s still some hope from the Spurs’ side that the relationship can be repaired.
- More from Young on the situation (via RealGM.com): “Obviously [Leonard] is probably being kept in the loop as far as what the Spurs are trying to do trying to trade him, which he’s requested. They’re also sending signals like, ‘Listen, we still want to try to work this out, so if we get down to the wire and all of a sudden, Kawhi, you have a change of heart, let’s sit down. Let’s talk. Let’s try to work it out.'”
If Philly is the most interested team, and there doctor is Kawhi’s doctor, wonder if he’s healthy and wasn’t completely truthful with the Spurs.
He went hiking in China and came back to the spurs with the injury they had no idea about before. Not saying he faked it but there is for sure discrepancy
Yeah, I think the health thing is overblown:
1. most cautious team in basketball who rests players like it’s going out of style cleared him in Jan.
2. Simmons reports that he shopped 6-7 doctors before finding one that would say he had an issue.
3. His group said that he was magically 100% right before start of free agency.
It’s more the rental thing at this point. Same reason spurs don’t want to offer supermax, since he’ll probably start agitating for trade a year from now (when he first can).
The spurs asking for 3 players 2 future picks and rights to swap two other picks is a joke. They are just turning off suitors with legit offers for no reason other than to be stubborn.
Two players and three picks, with those picks most likely falling towards the end of the first round. Can’t say the ask is off par for a top three-to-five player.
It’s three players and essentially 4 picks for a player with one year left on his contact that apparently refusing to play for the spurs if they won’t trade him. The spurs are asking for the moon with no leverage and apparently no offers from any team is near that. It’s pop and the spurs being stubborn instead of making the best basketball decision.
Spurs have no leverage? Lmao…
Of course they have the leverage. Kawhi wants to go to the Lakers, and everyone knows the Lakers want to trade for him. Why should the Spurs give him away for pennies on the dollar, when he’s one of the best players in the NBA when he’s healthy.
The spurs are going to lose him in a year, he has essentially told everybody he won’t resign with them unless it’s the lakers, and he will sit out the year if the spurs don’t trade. Please describe to me how and where the spurs have any leverage in this situation? They can trade him now, trade him later for less, or let him walk for nothing. Bottom line is he will never play for the spurs again explain how the spurs have leverage beyond being stubborn and not trading him while asking for a ridiculous price that no one will pay which only delays him being in La for a year.
I’m with you CubsRule. What are they supposed to do? Take Saric and Covington along with the 2021 Miami pick? Philly will offer that same package at the deadline.
The Spurs have little leverage with Kawhi’s team repeatedly stating that he intends to play for the Lakers or to a lesser extent the Clippers. If Kawhi himself stated that he would be open to an extension regardless of the team he gets traded to…..the Spurs would have all the leverage in the world.
Sure they do. If they don’t get an offer that’s much more than nothing, they just keep him until the deadline and either move him then or hope he changes his mind. The Lakers aren’t in anywhere near as good a position as their fans think.
If he sits out like he says he will, his rights will be retained by the Spurs and he will not become a free agent – and that is according to the CBA.
And I’m sure the Lakers don’t want to waste two years of LeBron on the team. 33 and ticking…
I don’t think it’s too much, especially considering the package of players from the Lakers
If the Philly doctor breathes even a word about Leonard’s health to the 76ers, he could be sued and lose his license for violating HIPAA laws
Thank you!! I was just about to post this. Woj should know better.
Didn’t stop them with Embid apparently
This is not true at all. The doctor works for the 76ers and in order to see him he would have had to sign a waiver that allows his medicals to be seen by the doctor’s employer. This is how team doctors work, in every sport.
In normal healthcare yes but sports health stuff is a whole other ballgame.
If you work for Yahoo Sports you have zero credibility. SA needs to do something before camp starts or they will be in for a rough season.
Lol. So it’s the Sixers’ doctor that is treating Leonard, no wonder it’s taking so long for him to heal.
The Spurs are not going to trade him, their asking price is ridiculous. 3 player 2 picks and the right to swap 2 picks is insane. Just dont bother trading him and lose him next year for nothing
If you knew Kawhi was healthy and would resign long term, what would be a fair offer to you?
His whole situation is exactly why he is not worth it. They can sign him next year and lose nothing. As opposed to being left with nothing but Lonzo Ball from your young guys
Kawhi is going to the Sixers. They may not meet the Spurs asking price but with the addition of Chandler, and Amir Johnson i can almost assume they plan to have a package of at least Covington and Holmes.
I guess ?
Yes but do the salaries match?
San Antonio is asking for Covington, Saric, and 3 first round picks.
Shams is trying to make a name for himself lol. No credibility and usually a swagger jocker riding on woj’s coat tails. Clippers have nothing to offer besides cap space going forward. Spurs are gonna keep kawhi or trade to sixers lakers for a middling return. Ultimately im gonna stick with woj till i hear otherwise that kawhi only will resign with lakers.
Unless Kawhi’s doctor obtained express permission from Kawhi that he can give Kawhi’s medical records to the 76ers, he would violate HIPAA if he did so. This idea that because Kawhi’s doctor sometimes works for an organization so all the doctor’s patients’ records would be shared with that organization is ridiculous.
Yes, in fact that IS how it works. If your doctor works for Kaiser Permanente, your records are shared throughout Kaiser, by your express permission. Team doctors work the same way and Kawhi had to have signed a similar waiver.
Its like when Jaylon Smith was operated on by the Cowboys doctors and subsequently drafted him and he looks very good.
Kawhi on the Clippers makes a ton of sense. The Clippers are obviously not as well known but why shouldn’t he take on the challenge to bring a championship to that franchise? He’s great enough to take them to the playoffs, I think if they can re-sign Harrell and have Beverley and Bradley in the backcourt although the starting lineup wouldn’t have any very good scorer beyond Kawhi it would be intriguing to watch.
Harrell showed the ability to be a 13-14 ppg guy who can play solid defense and haul down 8-12 rebound a night. They should re-sign him and let the young guys Alexander and Robinson develop off the bench.
Not really, they have nothing to offer the spurs, lakers package is better. Going forward all clippers have is potential cap space. No one really wants to be a clipper, branding is a big deal. Clippers need to tank and rebuild through draft and actually draft well. Around that time balmer can relocate the clippers to Seattle.
Yea if they really are trying to rebuild why the heck would they re-sign Bradley when they just drafted Robinson? Makes no sense. They should be trying to give Gilgeous,Robinson, and Harrell(if they re-sign him) as much minutes as possible next season.
Beverly’s contract isn’t guaranteed. Besides that….the Clips don’t have much to offer. SA isn’t going to have any interest in Harris, Gallinari, or Gortat. They could have some interest in Williams or possibly Beverly. But they would also likely demand Gilgeous or Robinson if not both + picks. Look at what they’ve been asking from PHI and LA and then look at the Clips roster.
No way Ballmer approves of Jerry moving Robinson and Gilgeous. They did their homework with those two and both are part of the future, that’s why I’m saying I don’t comprehend paying Avery Bradley unless they plan on flipping him in a trade because the Clippers won’t compete for the playoffs with this current roster, no way. If they plan on having Beverley and Bradley together they should offer San Antonio anything outside Robinson and Alexander.
So you wouldnt trade those two players for Kawhi?
I would but I’d have to have a commitment from him on an extension. Not taking him with just that 1 year left on his deal. If he agrees to extend then yes certainly.
Nobody on the Clippers “makes a ton of sense”. They’ve always taken a back seat to the Lakers. Just the way it is. That’s why top free agents never sign there, why it’s hard to keep their own free agents. They don’t have desirable pieces to trade, even if they did, why would Kawhi resign there? Why waste what little assets you have if you’re the Clips?
I don’t see any team other than the Lakers or maybe Philly (if they get some kind of confidence he’ll re sign) giving up legit assets for a one year rental that may or may not be 100% healthy. The Spurs technically hold all the cards right now, but I don’t know that their hand is really all that powerful. Kawhi has more leverage than some think.
no word of anything like this happening.. but .. can anyone say if orlando jumps into a trade for him. then sign thomas .. would not be a bad team..
Orlando? They do have pieces to give San Antonio too. Never thought of them, maybe Simmons,Isaac,and future 1st round picks. The thought of Bamba and Kawhi together defensively sounds interesting. But I just don’t see Orlando moving Isaac.
I was going to say Magic? Evan Fourier,Bimbo and Draft Picks?
They’d have to give up Isaac to get Kawhi dude. That’s a very poor offer you just made.
That trade doesn’t even work out salary wise. Plus why would SA have any interest in Bimbo when they have Aldridge and Gasol? If SA does trade Kawhi it’ll be to free up cap space for the 2019-20′ season and beyond. They want cheap/controllable players and picks.
Orlando would make the move too, they gave away Sabonis and Oladipo for Ibaka
Sarbonis was never in Orlando.
I think Kyrie is saying he wants to team up with Jimmy Butler after next season to keep from being traded, just like Lonzo’s meniscus problem (sounds like something LaVar might do). The Spurs told the Celtics to give them there best offer. The Celtics said not until Kawhi got a physical from them, agreed to an extension, and the Spurs agreed to let Kawhi speak to them. Kawhi won’t sit out this season. Not even the Lakers would give him a fair contract. I’d want to see Kawhi play first to see if he’s healthy. If the Celtics see him play, they’d have a better idea if they want to make an offer.
Latest on LaVar, he says Lonzo won’t play off the ball this year. Time for Luke Walton to think about getting meds for anxiety.
Feels like that Saric, Covington, and Heat 2021 Pick offer is still out there. Spurs holding out for Fultz, which now Philly is overvaluing. Hilarious since everyone was Shttn on him just a month ago, lol.
San Antonio told Philly they want 2 players and 3 1st round picks, and the Sixers haven’t offered it.
There are five teams that should reasonably consider a trade, none of which are the Lakers, and only two with the assets to pull it off.
Here are the two least likely:
#5 Pacers:
The East is top heavy, but not unwinnable. You have a top 20 player in oladipo and you took the Eastern conference champs to 7 when you should have won it in 6. The Celtics are really good and could get better if Kyrie and Heyward are healthy and the role players choose to accept their role. Can you win the east with the team you have? Low possibility, but possible.
Why make a trade: The mid-market factor.
Indiana is by all accounts, an awesome place to play basketball, but when it comes down to it, Paul George proved Oklahoma City is more of a draw than indy is. That has to hurt. Maybe you’ll never get a free agent to choose Indiana over another destination if the money is close. So how do you build a winning team? You have shrewd drafts and make smart trades.
Is 1 year of Kahwi worth it?
– Probably not, but maybe.
What package would it take:
– Myles Turner, Aaron Holiday, 2 1st round picks.
#4 Toronto
Maybe this team is superman and LeBron is the kypronite. If he’s gone, maybe your record and #1 seed does mean something in the East. Or, maybe the moves to bring in Ibaka and have your hand forced with Lowry have put you in a place where you’re stuck in mediocrity. Can you win the east with the team you have? I think most people would give it a 20% chance, but it would take good luck and a great draw in the playoffs.
Why make a trade:
Your coach was coach of the year last season and you fired him. Lowry is untradeable, Derozan is good(???), Drake is your ambassador, and guess what – the east is NEVER going to be more open. It’s Boston’s to lose unless Philly makes a deal or you figure out a way to get the best out of your unique roster.
Is 1 year of Kawhi worth it?:
Yes. Toronto goes to the finals, fans are nuts about it. Drake raps all about it. Publicity! Vince Carter is honored at half time of the finals, commemorative t-shirts are sold. You win 1 game against the Warriors and people still write about that as a win. Maybe the Warriors rely too heavily on Durant like they did against Houston and Kawhi reminds the world why he was the best two-way player in the past decade. Maybe you take the Warriors 6 or 7.
What package would it take:
Van Vleet, Derozan, 1st 2019 rnd pick, right to swap 2020 or 2021.
…
How do you know he will play for your team. He faked an injury while cashing the checks and screwing SA over. He will do it again to get to the Lakers, Lavar & ZO Show. All of a sudden Kawhi has a brand now. Totally opposite of what made him a great NBA player and Finals MVP. He signed for this season to SA and he should play for them in good faith then move on. This isn’t the NFL with cut you anytime contracts.
Do you all nba fans trust Kawhi injury???
And paid him $ 219.m ???
Not me
The Spurs will do the same thing the Pacers did. When nobody expects it, they will tell everybody to put in their final offer the next day. The Spurs saw the Lakers low balling the Pacers, and now they are the Spurs. The Pacers did good and the Spurs learned from it.
Lakers offered Randle and 2 1st rounders. How is that a lowball
The Lakers offered Jordan Clarkson and 2 low 1st round picks. Domantas Sabonis was the no. 11 pick and Victor Oladipo was the no. 2 when they were drafted. Clarkson is a joke. Low 1st round picks are worthless. The Lakers got lucky and got Kuzma. Nobody had any idea he would be good. Boston offered Marcus Smart, Avery Johnson, and 2 1st round picks. The Cavs offer would have gotten them Gary Harris and Trey Lyles from Denver, Iman Shumpert from the Cavs plus a 1st round pick. The Lakers low balled the Pacers and lost George because of it, just like they’ll lose Kawhi if they don’t straighten up. If he goes to Philly, he’ll stay there.
The Pacers problem was they wanted a top 5 pick, Boston offered 2 of their own, and the Cavs refused to leave a future pick unprotected. Boston tried to trade for the Minnesota pick at no. 5, but Minnesota sent it to Chicago for Jimmy Butler.
Make that Avery Bradley, not Avery Johnson.
It was not Clarckson. It was their choice of him or Randle and obviously if you have to choose 1 of those guys it would be Randle. Like i have said twice already if the Lakers landed George it would have cost them Randle, Kuzma and Hart. If you think thats a lowball you are just clueless. The Thunder offer was better sure but that doesn’t mean the Lakers lowballed it
Because they let Randall walk and the two picks will be at the end of the first round.
Those picks ended up Being Kuzma and Hart. So trading for PG would have cost the Lakers Kuzma, Hart and Randle. Yeah total lowball on them.
The bottom line is Magic was telling everyone he wasn’t going to make a good offer because he knew the Lakers would get George this summer. That and the Lakers haven’t been in the playoffs in 5 years, so the Pacers weren’t giving them an all star for their players. You Lakers fans rate your players higher than the NBA general managers do. It wasn’t Randle they offered, it was Clarkson. I have a subscription to the Indianapolis Star. When the Pacers took offers from the Cavs, Boston, the Lakers, and OKC, and the Lakers made the worst offer, that’s low balling.
The offer was low at the time it was made. It’s just that the picks turned out unusually well. You’re using future knowledge to judge a past decision.
Come on guys this is simple economics, San Antonio hasn’t got any leverage beyond trading Kawhi or let him walk. Is like when you sell a house, the seller never decides the price, well he will say what he wants but is ALWAYS the buyer that decides what a house is worth you ask for 500K, no one wants to pay more than 400K your only leverage is either sell cheap or not sell. Same for San Antonio they take what others think Kawhi is worth for 1 year & discontentment & health issues or they let him walk, they will not decide what the price is, simple as that man.
No reason Kawhi won’t quit on the Lakers like he did to the Spurs. Took their cash and quit. Never thought I would say that about him, always thought this guy was rock solid stand up guy. Wrong. He will wilt under Lebron pressure, fail his B-ball IQ test and demand to be traded somewhere else
all i say to this .. if you dont like your job. what would you do . take extra break time . not work your hardest and best. well same thing .. if you say youll give your all even tho you dont wanna be there. id say your not trueful. sports is the same as our everyday life. gotta enjoy it or move on!!
San Antonio has told the Lakers they want 3 players, 2 picks, and the right to swap 2 picks. They have told Philadelphia they want 2 players and 3 picks. They can wait as long as a year and a half to get it. In that amount of time Kawhi could change his mind like George did, and San Antonio can give him a lot more money. The Pacers said they wouldn’t trade George to LA and San Antonio is saying they won’t trade Kawhi to LA.
San Antonio has until July 1 next year to wait. I’m thinking San Antonio won’t trade him because they saw what Kyrie did to the Cavs. I think if Kawhi plays another year, he’ll stay.
Why help the Spurs out? They got themselves into this mess, he doesn’t want to play for another team outside of LA so unless your pitch is “we’re going to move the franchise to LA” why trade for him?
1) Kyrie insisted on being traded, and Cleveland made a big mistake and let him go. Wait.
2) Teams don’t want to make a bigger offer because of health issues and extension offer. Let him play to find out. Wait.
3) When the Pacers said “Everybody give us your best offer by tomorrow night.” Nobody knew OKC was interested. Wait.
4) Kyrie is interested in New York, they’ve mentioned Jimmy Butler. Kawhi’s uncle is from West Orange, New Jersey. Kyrie from East Orange , New Jersey. Kawhi’s uncle says he can put Kyrie and Kawhi together. Wait.
5) Kawhi’s best offer will be from San Antonio July 1, 2019. Wait.
6) The only “veteran” the Lakers can offer is Brandon Ingram, and is reluctant to. The Sixers have the best offer. San Antonio wants Boston to make an offer. Wait.
7) Why should San Antonio take junk from the Lakers and be a lottery team while making the Lakers a top 3 Western Conference team? The Pacers said they wanted to remain competitive. Nobody has given their best offer. Wait.
Bleacher Report says Kawhi doesn’t want Boston. San Antonio says they want good players to stay in playoffs. Sixers haven’t offered Embiid, Simmons, or Fultz. Spurs are insistent on Ingram, Hart, Kuzma, 2 1st round picks, and right to swap 2 1st round picks.
I think if Sixers see him play early in season, they’ll know if they should include 1 of their big 3.
And the Sixers need to see what their own mystery man, Fultz, can do too.
Spurs might as well demand much, since I doubt they want to trade yet anyway. Yeah wait.
From Sports Illustrated. Boston and Sixers have their top players off limits. Per S.I./Woj; Spurs are in no rush to make a bad trade.