Spurs, Kawhi Leonard’s relationship has grown ‘distant’ as injury rehab lingers, per report

After several months of frustrations and setbacks related to his injury rehabilitation, Kawhi Leonard and his camp are described as having a “distant and disconnected” relationship with the San Antonio Spurs, according to an ESPN report on Monday.

While beset with a mysterious quadriceps injury, Leonard didn’t play this season until Dec. 12. Last week, after playing just nine games, it was announced again that Leonard would be out indefinitely, raising further concerns about the health of the forward.

In the story, reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Michael C. Wright, the relationship between San Antonio and Leonard needs work “to repair what has been until now a successful partnership.”

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford publicly rejected the notion that Leonard was unhappy.

“There is no issue between the Spurs organization and Kawhi,” Buford told ESPN. “From Day 1 all parties have worked together to find the best solutions to his injury.”

Leonard’s circle also denied the report. His uncle Dennis Roberston, who is close to Leonard told MySanAntonio.com that, “There is nothing true to that story. Kawhi’s camp and the Spurs are how they’ve always been – doing the right thing for the team and the right thing for Kawhi.”

Earlier this year, Gregg Popovich said that he had never seen an injury like Leonard’s and Tony Parker’s, who both worked to recover from similar quadriceps injuries this summer. Popovich admitted concern that Parker, who had a more serious injury, has recovered much quicker without relapsing, like Leonard has.

“What’s really strange is that Tony Parker has the same injury, but even worse,” Popovich told reporters in November.

This report is surprising due to San Antonio’s typically great relationships with star players, especially the Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Parker trio. Even last summer, Popovich helped LaMarcus Aldridge move past some unhappiness to have a resurgent season. Now, Leonard’s unhappiness is another concern in a season that hasn’t been particularly reassuring for the Spurs, even with San Antonio’s 30-18 record.