NBA Rumors: Is Kawhi done with the Spurs; What should be his trade value?

Things With Us Just Sometimes Feel A Bit…Dramatic, Don’t They Baby? Are You Mad? Don’t Be, I’m Just Trying To Say My Truth Like The Therapist Suggested

From the perspective of Pop, it might feel a tiny bit like things with Kawhi are often complicated and unusual. Imagine you call your “perfect couple” buddy and get a run down on his history with her. Not just the good times, I want the nitty gritty.  He sips a fine velvety Burgundy and tells you a few stories that really stood out to him:

There was the time Kawhi tore a ligament in his hand and said he thought he’d be back soon. But Pop disagreed and told reporters:

"“one of the doctors said he’s been doing hands for 40 years and it’s the first time he’s ever seen this injury. It’s a little bit unique.”"

Or that weird moment in 2013 when Kawhi left a game and explained that he:

"“just hit the hardwood on one of those nails, really hard,” said Leonard, who made two of the biggest plays of the period for The Spurs. “It busted my knee wide open.”"

According to Rodger Sherman of SB Nation, there was no signs of blood or reports of stitching. And he didn’t think there were protruding nails on the court based on the design.

Then there was the time Kawhi had conjunctivitis.

"“Kawhi Leonard is still out, for 10 more days,” Popovich said. “(The infection) is going back and forth between the two (eyes). It’s crazy.”"

Kawhi may have signaled the alarm bells even further by explaining (in early November) that:

"“it might not ever clear up until summer, so I’m playing now.”"

And now this one is out of the ordinary too, as ESPN’s lead Spurs Staff Writer, Michael C. Wright,  writes in November 2017:

"Never, never,” Popovich said when asked whether he has seen such a condition hampering                one of his players. “What’s really strange is that [point guard] Tony [Parker] has the same                injury, but even worse. They had to go operate on his quad tendon and put it back together                or whatever they did to it. So to have two guys, that’s pretty incredible. I had never seen it                  before those guys.”"

 ‘…It’s not Hypochondria or anything but ummm let’s just say you should expect the unexpected health-wise, and oh…she may be the one person I’ve dated who is more conservative than I am when it comes to health-care.’ 

You’d both laugh. Your ole’ buddy, Pop, never a risk taker when it comes to health. That conservative old S.O.B. 

But you’re no fool. Your radar is up!

Sure Pop may say he’s open to moving on and wouldn’t have a problem with you dating his ex. But you can also hear a twinge in his voice that he still loves her, he’s truly considering making this work, and renewing his vows this summer. And buying her a massive $219 million dollar mansion and brand new engagement ring!

You also know that your buddy Pop has been no saint here either. He’s the one who helped conservatively manage Kawhi and his quad injuries for over three of the seven seasons he’s been in the NBA, through three summers of rest or rehab to take care of this. How many superstars have literally never even averaged 34 minutes per game in a season?!?

Of course he knows this chronic injury isn’t exactly the same as Tony Parker’s injury! So why is he claiming to be “confused” about why Parker healed faster from something so different just ’cause it’s the same tendon? And now that Leonard is medically cleared to play by the team but not by his independent team of doctors, why all the references for reporters to go “talk to his group?”

He’s frustrated and nobody in these relationships is perfect. Even your most perfect buddy can be a prick sometimes when it comes to love. And this is actually exciting to you! Maybe my buddy is actually being a jerk here and maybe if I’m not, then she and I can be happy! Maybe we can be the new “best-couple ever!” After all, she must really want out right?