Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

San Antonio Spurs: With Kawhi Leonard out, what’s next for the Spurs?

By Michael Saenz

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Kawhi Leonardo has been shut down indefinitely due to his lingering quad injury; what’s next for the San Antonio Spurs?

When healthy, the San Antonio Spurs are one of the most dangerous teams in all the NBA. Specifically, in the Western Conference, they’re arguably the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors.

However, they haven’t been healthy this season. Kawhi Leonard, who had only played in nine games thus far in the season, has been shut down indefinitely due to his lingering quad issue. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says that Kawhi simply hasn’t responded as they’d hoped.

So, at least for the foreseeable future, the Spurs will be without Kawhi Leonard, one of the league’s five best players.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

While it’s sad all around to hear that one of the best players might not play again this season, it leaves the Spurs in a confusing and potentially awkward situation.

San Antonio is currently 29-16, third in the Western Conference standings. Although, without Kawhi in the lineup, there’s only so much that this team can accomplish in a potential star-less playoff run (no offense, LaMarcus Aldridge).

It’s never fair to theorize whether this injury that Kawhi is dealing with may or may not be career-changing – though, we hope that isn’t even a conversation that the Spurs are currently having behind closed doors – it does come into question whether or not the Spurs should make a move at the NBA trade deadline.

Perhaps that may be viewed as knee-jerk or reactionary, but it’s something that should be discussed. In a potential playoff series against a team like the New Orleans Pelicans or the Oklahoma City Thunder, it wouldn’t be outlandish to see the Spurs as the underdogs.

Essentially, Pop and the Spurs need to ask themselves one question: How confident is the franchise that Kawhi will be able to shake this injury off heading into next season? 

If the answer to that question is “very,”  then perhaps the Spurs should not do much and stand pat at the trade deadline. However, if there is legit concern that either Kawhi may not be himself by the start of next season, or that this type of injury could have an negative effect on him moving forward, then perhaps a window will open for the Spurs in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline.

Could the Spurs move perhaps LaMarcus Aldridge in exchange for a high lottery pick ahead of the deadline? There were whispers of it happing during the summer, just before the 2017 NBA Draft. Or even perhaps some of their other veteran pieces that could good and well help out some other contenders out there?

Don’t get me wrong, the San Antonio Spurs are not the franchise to be sellers at the trade deadline. That’s just not how they operate.

And losing Kawhi, potentially for the season, that likely won’t change. Although, don’t be surprised if you hear the Spurs pop up over the next couple of weeks. Pop doesn’t operate through the media, but at the same time plays by his own rules.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: 5 teams that are safe bets to make a deal by the deadline

The San Antonio Spurs will likely take their chances and bring back the bulk of this team next season, but would it really be that much of a surprise if Gregg Popovich takes this opportunity to throw a wrench in the rest of the league’s plans?

Home/San Antonio Spurs