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NBA Rumors: Is there a rift between the San Antonio Spurs, Kawhi Leonard?

By Michael Saenz

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 05: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs inches towards the basket while being guarded by Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 5, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 05: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs inches towards the basket while being guarded by Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 5, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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NBA Rumors: According to a report, there is a rift between the San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs are the most consistent, stable franchise in the NBA. I don’t think anyone would argue with that statement.

Kawhi Leonard, similarly, is one of the league’s most disguised figures. For the most part, he’s even keel and ever so slightly shows emotion.

They’re the perfect match.

Although, there could be trouble in paradise. According to a report from ESPN, there is a rift between the Spurs and Kawhi, which began with his recent injury.

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"[via ESPN]Months of discord centering on elements of treatment, rehabilitation and timetables for return from a right quadriceps injury have had a chilling impact on San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard’s relationship with the franchise and coaching staff, league sources told ESPN.Under president and coach Gregg Popovich and general manager RC Buford, the Spurs have a two decades-long history of strong relationships with star players, but multiple sources describe Leonard and his camp as “distant” and “disconnected” from the organization."

Question is, how bad could this really be? And in any sports league, there’s only two really types of “bad.”

On one hand, it could be the type of bad that is harmless. The type of bad that stems from frustration and often blows over in a couple of weeks. In this case, Kawhi would get healthy and return to the floor. He and Gregg Popovich would then have a “come to Jesus” moment and they’ll laugh about this very moment in the future.

That’s the harmless type, which could very well be what’s happening here. After all, Kawhi has to be frustrated over the fact that he’s only been healthy enough to play in nine games this season.

On the other hand, there’s the really bad type of bad. This is the type of bad that could lead to the Spurs shopping Kawhi ahead of the NBA trade deadline or during the summer. It should be noted that Kawhi is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

So that also adds an interesting element.

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Watching what the Spurs do – and say – over the next few weeks, now that this report is public, is going to be interesting. And, hopefully, this rift is more of the first type of bad than the second type. At this point, however, there’s really no way of knowing. And when it comes to the Spurs, we might never find out.

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