It was a little more than 24 hours before Gregg Popovich would make it official that Kawhi Leonard would miss more time after only playing nine games in the regular season.
While staying at the team hotel in Brooklyn in mid-January, Leonard was convinced something didn’t feel right with his body and informed those close to him that he couldn’t play. As it turned out, he had suffered another setback with his right quadriceps tendinopathy injury.
Also, Leonard wasn’t comfortable playing every other game or having to abide by a minutes restriction set in place by the Spurs.
RELATED: Spurs’ best deal might be one they didn’t make
It was just more frustration added to an already tense season involving Leonard and the Spurs which now heads into an offseason filled with questions about the superstar’s relationship and status with the team.
Will the Spurs repair any behind the scenes issues with Leonard? If so, will they offer him a five-year, $219 million extension? And if not, will the Spurs start to field calls about trade packages?
Following a story by ESPN detailing the Spurs’ relationship with Leonard, the possibility of a trade will only intensify around the NBA. The question is where would Leonard go?
Though the ESPN story suggested Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, is pushing for a trade to a big market, those close to Leonard told the Express-News no trade conversations with the Spurs or internally have taken place.
Leonard’s camp has not decided what route to take. They are waiting for the Spurs to decide they will offer Leonard the supermax.
If that occurs, Leonard’s camp will then decide if they will accept the offer after repairing any damage with the team, which is partly due to what they believe was a misdiagnosis of Leonard’s right quad leading to the current injury.
RELATED: Playing for Pop
Also, within Leonard’s camp, there has been a feeling of dissipating support from the Spurs tied to leaks about his whereabouts while rehabbing, leaks about the Spurs’ doctors clearing Leonard to play, and describing Leonard’s medical team as “his group” — a term frequently used by Popovich.
If Leonard has played his last game in San Antonio, deciding which trade route to go will be the Spurs’ challenge.
One option could be something like “the Paul George package,” which former Spur assistant GM and current Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti offered to the Indiana Pacers last offseason in exchange for George. The Pacers received Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, two young players with upside. The Thunder couldn’t offer too much, as George, like Leonard after next season if he doesn’t opt into the final year of a deal that pays roughly $21 million, will become a free agent.
The Thunder took the risk knowing George could walk, which is the same risk any team trading for Leonard will take if he doesn’t re-sign.
Related: For Leonard's camp, trade discussions non-existent as NBA chatter continues
If Leonard is dealt, he then becomes eligible for a four-year deal worth roughly $160 million with his new team. The benefit for Leonard: He could decide to opt-out after two or three years of that deal and recuperate money surrendered by not signing an extension with the Spurs.
Enter the Boston Celtics.
It has been speculated the Celtics could offer forward Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown in a package for Leonard, though as the team advances in the playoffs, that scenario seems unlikely.
Another option would be the “Chris Paul package.”
Flashback to 2011: The then league-owned New Orleans Hornets (now the Pelicans) traded Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers for guard Eric Gordon, forward Al-Farouq Aminu, center Chris Kaman, and a 2012 first-round pick (drafted Austin Rivers with the pick). The Hornets also received two future second-round picks in the deal.
Enter the Philadelphia 76ers.
Over the last few weeks, league sources told the Express-News the Sixers could make a push for Leonard this offseason and include their highly-coveted 2018 first-round pick.
Add forward Dario Saric, forward Robert Covington, and last year’s top overall pick Markelle Fultz, who is close to Dejounte Murray, to the mix, and the Sixers have an attractive package that also removes Leonard from the Western Conference.
Sixers coach Brett Brown could also have an impact. Sources tell the Express-News Leonard would have no problem being coached by Brown, the former Spurs assistant coach.
Read more: Playing for Pop
Also, the Sixers could take Pau Gasol off the Spurs’ books, and have enough money under the salary cap to absorb the deal.
Other possibilities could involve the Los Angeles franchises. The Clippers could offer their two first-round picks and center DeAndre Jordan (if he opts into the final year of his deal). The Lakers could make a play, too.
If there is one certainty entering this offseason, it’s that the Spurs will have plenty of suitors if they opt to deal Leonard. League execs would love to acquire one of the NBA’s best players.
It’s up to the Spurs and Leonard if they will allow a divorce to occur.
The Milwaukee Bucks plan to interview San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon for the franchise’s head coaching job, league sources tell ESPN. Hammon is the NBA’s first female assistant coach -- and now will be the first to interview to be a head coach.
@wojespn
Quote:
Spurs assistant James Borrego and Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga are each gathering momentum in Charlotte's search for a head coach, league sources tell ESPN.
Good for Becky Hammon. Not sure how I’d feel about that if I were a Bucks fan if they hired her given that she doesn’t have much experience as a coach let alone a head coach, but at least her experience has come from working under Pop.
Good for Becky Hammon. Not sure how I’d feel about that if I were a Bucks fan if they hired her given that she doesn’t have much experience as a coach let alone a head coach, but at least her experience has come from working under Pop.
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Even if they dont theyre doing right by interviewing her
So who says no to a Kyrie and Jaylen Brown for Kawhi Leonard trade? Assuming there is actually a desire for Kawhi to be moved, which I’m not sold on yet but speaking hypothetically..
Boston starts Rozier, Hayward, Kawhi, Tatum, Horford. They likely have the money to keep Smart rather than him walking, and don’t have the decision down the line of deciding to keep Brown or Tatum. Kawhi added to a team that’s already a top defense, Rozier playing like he can be a starting point guard, maybe even an All Star.
San Antonio gets Kyrie who they supposedly wanted and he wanted to be there as well. They get Brown who looks to be the next Kawhi, Jimmy Butler, mold of a player. They also get a bit younger, and no longer need to find their PG of the future. Kyrie and Brown are young enough they don’t have to worry about hitting big in the draft again as well.
05-03-2018, 07:16 PM
