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NBA Trade Rumors: If Spurs trade Kawhi Leonard, is LaMarcus Aldridge next?

By Michael Saenz

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 3: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 3: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 3, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NBA Trade Rumors: Should the San Antonio Spurs decide to trade Kawhi Leonard, would LaMarcus Aldridge be next on the chopping block?

The San Antonio Spurs were reportedly caught off guard when it was reported Friday that Kawhi Leonard wanted out of San Antonio.

There was a reported schism between the Spurs and Kawhi, but the expectation was that Gregg Popovich would meet with Kawhi and they would clean things up – or at least try. However, that ship has apparently sailed.

Kawhi wants a trade and it’s now on the Spurs’ hands to see if they will oblige with his demand or if they will try to fix the relationship. Kawhi still has one year remaining on his contract, but reportedly wants to play in Los Angeles, which is his preferred trade destination.

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Over the next few weeks, we should find out more about what’s going to happen with this Kawhi situation. But I feel like we’re still a long ways before a trade actually comes to fruition. San Antonio will try to fix the relationship, and if it fails then and only then will they see what they could get in return.

But what happens with Kawhi this summer, or potentially at the start of the regular season, will or could have a huge impact on the rest of this team. If Kawhi is not going to be a part of this team, it could open a room for a rebuild in San Antonio.

And considering that Gregg Popovich could be on his last coaching legs, it’s not hard to feel like the sky could be falling in San Antonio. Specifically, if Kawhi gets traded, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spurs elect to shop LaMarcus Aldridge, who could bring in some valuable assets for the impending rebuild.

Must Read: NBA Trade Rumors: Where should the San Antonio Spurs trade Kawhi Leonard?

The Spurs have a big summer ahead of them, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility to believe that San Antonio could be at the end of their most recent run as a franchise. It’s actually pretty weird to say that the fate of the franchise – or at least in respect to the foreseeable future – lies in the hands of Kawhi Leonard.

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