NBA Rumors: The San Antonio Spurs are growing concerned that Kawhi Leonard’s camp is pushing for a trade to a bigger market
At this point, it’s pretty clear that there’s a disconnect between the San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard. Question, how and where did it come from?
If you ask the Spurs, they know exactly where it’s rooted – or at least what it’s being carried by at this point in the proceedings.
In an in-depth article by ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright, there’s one thing that concerns the Spurs about this entire situation. And it’s that what the ulterior motive may be. Was it ever about the injury or the rehab?
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Some in the Spurs organization believe it’s not. Or, and without putting words in their mouth, not anymore. Per ESPN, the Spurs are now worried that the endgame for Kawhi’s camp is a trade to a bigger market.
"[via ESPN]Multiple league sources also told ESPN that the Spurs have grown worried that Leonard’s group has an ulterior motive to fray the relationship and get Leonard traded to a larger market like Los Angeles (Leonard’s hometown) or New York or Philadelphia (Robertson lives in New Jersey)."
Kawhi only played in nine games this season, before deciding that he needed more rehab. To throw things off even more, he’s rehabbing in New York, and not in San Antonio.
Leonard has one year remaining on his contract with the Spurs and is eligible for a super max extension this summer. However, assuming that the relationship is still strained, it wouldn’t make much sense to offer an extension to Kawhi under these circumstances.
Something’s got to give.
Gregg Popovich is scheduled to spearhead a meeting with Kawhi this summer, one that will likely dictate what happens for both parties moving forward.
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Still, the more that comes out of this feud the more it’s becoming increasingly clear that this will all likely end with Kawhi Leonard getting traded this summer to the highest bidder.