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Clippers Seen as ‘Favorites’ to land Kawhi Leonard

By Blake Harris

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 13:Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs is seen during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 13:Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs is seen during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 13, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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As each day passes by, more and more news is surfacing in regards to the Kawhi Leonard saga.

It’s slowly but surely turning into a reality show of it’s own. Weeks ago, Kawhi Leonard requested a trade from the San Antonio Spurs. Shortly after, it was reported he wants to be traded to Los Angeles. Immediately, everyone around the sports universe was penciling in Leonard as a Laker, assuming he would be traded there. Now, it appears as if that dream is slowly becoming a reality.

There is still a chance he winds up in Los Angeles, but with a team that nobody was expecting. The LA Clippers.

Over the last few days, it appears as if the Clippers have been picking up momentum in the Kawhi Leonard saga. With the addition of LeBron James to the Lakers, many believe Leonard doesn’t want to join him and be lost in the shadow. As we’ve seen from him, he’s a very quiet guy, and a lot of pressure would be put on his shoulders should he join the Lakers.

Hence, where the Clippers come in.

According to Chris Broussard, he thinks the Clippers might be the ‘frontrunners’ to land Kawhi. Go to 4:12 to see the beginning of the discussion.

Can this be true?

Broussard wasn’t the only person on Thursday to voice his opinions on where he thinks Kawhi will end up. Mike C. Wright of ESPN joined the Back to Back podcast, where he gave his thoughts on where the 27-year old will end up.

"Well, contrary to, and I don’t know if it’s changed. I think that’s what happened. Things have changed. But the Lakers are not Kawhi’s preferred destination anymore. He wants to go to the Clippers. He doesn’t want to go and be second fiddle to LeBron. That’s what I was told. And I was by somebody that would know. And so right now, the Clippers are where he wants to go. But I’m also told, like you know, I talked to people within the Spurs organization and they’re like ‘well yea he wants to go to the Clippers but their assets are shit at this point’. That’s what I was told."

So by the looks of things, Leonard has his eyes set on becoming a Clipper. Who could have imagined? Sadly though, it won’t be that easy trying to get him.

This past week, a report came out saying what the Spurs’ asking price from the Lakers was, and it was a haul. After seeing what San Antonio was seeking in return, it’s unclear what the Clippers would be able to offer. Many can speculate, but most likely it would center around Tobias Harris, Patrick Beverley, the two newly drafted rookie guards, and a few draft picks. If that’s the case, that would be far too high of an asking price.

What should the Clippers do?

Nobody seems to have an idea how this situation is going to play out. It appears the Spurs are firm on what they expect to get in return, and plan on holding their ground. Next season, Kawhi will be a free agent. I don’t like to guarantee anything, but I can almost assure you that he won’t be returning to San Antonio. He’s said he wants to come to LA, which gives the Clippers a 50/50 shot.

If these rumors are true, and Kawhi would prefer to be a Clipper, I see no reason why he won’t be signing a huge contract with them next season. The Clippers obviously won’t be competing for a championship this season, so there’s no reason to dump the farm to get Leonard, when you’ll have a high chance to next season.

In a recent article from Brad Turner of the LA Times, he said the Clippers will have nearly 70 million dollars in cap room next summer. Not only is that enough to sign Leonard, it’s also enough to offer a max contract to another player.

If you’re the Clippers, and you’re able to trade for Leonard, by all means do it. But, if the Clippers truly are his preferred destination, hold out, take a big risk, and go get him next summer.

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