Kawhi Leonard was enjoying a Dodger game in his hometown of LA. Although he continues to be distant with his team, there is no city like home for Kawhi.
No question about it, things are falling apart in San Antonio between the team and Kawhi Leonard. Multiple reports this year suggest Leonard has been very distant with his team, mainly due to disagreement of his injury. While Kawhi has not made a playoff game appearance, even for support purposes, or to repair the relationship with the organization, he still finds time to enjoy his hometown in LA. Could this help him end up with the Los Angeles Clippers?
For most of the season the tension was behind the scenes with Kawhi and the Spurs. However, when it became clear that he was not going to play this season, that tension was uncontrollable. Constant disagreement about the severity of injury, and even losing control medically was the turning point. Teammates even confronted Kawhi questioning the severity of his quad injury and if he really needed to sit out.
Getting to a point where local beat reporters even got their crack when asking him the same question. Ever since that argument, he has been a wall from the team, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
"People are just looking for spin. I haven’t been here long. I’ve been here six years. The Spurs have been here way longer than that. People are gonna go with that take first."
This became the first sign of Leonard’s true feelings against his team. Then evolving into a situation that should just be left at best. From this point nothing can be salvaged and NBA executives agree “at the end of the day he wants out.”
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Leonard is entering his prime at 26 despite his injury. He is eligible for a five-year, $219 million max extension this summer. Immediately he would take the money and win 45+ games a season and contend somewhat, right? On second thought, if it is so clear he wants to play in LA, why not trade him to LA?
The Spurs need assets for Kawhi’s departure, as in young players, talent and draft picks. Many teams will offer that and more for a superstar in Leonard. It is known that Pop will not trade to the Western Conference, especially to his rival LA Lakers. Since he will be a free agent next year, they can deal to anyone for a rental year, and what more of a blow to his rival then trading to the Clippers!
Considering the tainted relationship with the Spurs, it is best for the team to trade him for what they can get in return. Spurs have leverage they can use, and can aggressively acquire first round draft picks and young players with potential.
LA Clippers have exactly that in both first round picks this draft, and players like DeAndre Jordan, Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris. Many feel that the Clippers being a trade partner for the Spurs is a highly likely situation that can bring Kawhi to LA. This can be a best case scenario for all parties, where the Spurs can get a lot of value and flexibility from the Clippers, and Kawhi will be happy playing in his hometown.