Kawhi Leonard’s uncertainty with the Spurs is convincing teams around the league that it might be time to look into trades for the former NBA Finals MVP.
Kawhi Leonard trade rumors could be on the horizon this summer. Here’s why.
Leonard’s future in San Antonio is uncertain. Teams know this.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
“I have already talked to several NBA general managers,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said in an Outside the Lines interview. “At the end of this season, teams will call the Spurs and inquire about the availability of Kawhi Leonard.”
Though it doesn’t say anything definitive about Leonard’s future, it confirms the league believes things are as rocky as ever.
Leonard’s season with the Spurs has been confusing, and something nobody could have predicted. He’s played just nine games this season, returning from a quadriceps injury in December only to suffer a shoulder injury, then re-aggravate the initial injury. All the while, there have been disagreements about his injury recovery and reports of strife between he and the organization.
Leonard is medically cleared to return, but he reportedly doesn’t feel ready to come back. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported the team had a meeting confronting him about his return, but Spurs players Danny Green and Brandon Paul denied it.
Amid all this, teams are starting to think there’s a chance he becomes available in the offseason.
Why would the Spurs trade Leonard?
Leonard is set to become a free agent after next season. If they don’t trade him before the February 2019 trade deadline, they’re forced to lose an MVP-caliber talent for nothing should he choose not to re-sign with San Antonio.
The more lucrative option will be for him to stay put with the Spurs, which is what Leonard said he wants to do. But his next contract will play through the remainder of his prime years. Is he willing to sign a large extension if he’s not happy in San Antonio?
If GMs are asking, does that mean Leonard’s going to be shopped?
No.
There’s a lot of time before a decision has to made with him — nearly a year — and he’s stated publicly he wants to stay in San Antonio.
The Spurs also have a history of making amends following disputes. LaMarcus Aldridge requested a trade last season, and now, has worked his into playing at an All-NBA level (seemingly happily) under coach Gregg Popovich.
Things can change with Leonard in time, but Spurs fans should feel uneasy. Nothing is surely happening one way or the other with his future, but sharks are smelling blood in the water.
It is important to note that these “rumors” are not leaks coming from the Spurs or Leonard to hint at his availability; it’s just opposing GM’s planning on actually doing their jobs and inquiring about a star that may or may not be available. The Spurs also know that a player of Leonard’s talent will be nearly impossible to replace, so it will likely take more than just a high draft pick to sway them, and even then that will only happen if Leonard confirms he wants out, which hasn’t happened.
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