NBA Rumors: Spurs To Offer Kawhi Leonard Supermax Contract Extension, Hope To ‘Mend Fences’ And Avoid Trade
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

As the 2018 NBA Conference Finals are in progress, the San Antonio Spurs are currently preparing for an offseason of uncertainty. Considered the model franchise in all of sports under head coach Gregg Popovich, a reported disconnect with Kawhi Leonard has caused unexpected friction.

Leonard’s right quadriceps injury limited him to just nine games during the 2017-18 NBA season, and he has only spoken once to the media and has not provided any clarity about the situation. As a result, the superstar forward has been mentioned in recent trade rumors.

When free agency officially begins on July 1, Leonard will be eligible for a five-year, $219 million supermax contract extension. Faced with the possibility of having to trade their two-time All-Star, the Spurs have a plan in place, according to Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News:

Still, the Spurs hope to meet with Leonard and his representatives soon in a bid to mend fences and pave the way for Leonard to come to terms on a five-year $219 million supermax contract that he will be eligible to receive starting July 1. If attempts to patch up the relationship fail, the Spurs will be forced to explore trading a player coach Gregg Popovich once labeled “the future face of the franchise.”

If San Antonio comes to the conclusion they have to trade Leonard before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers have already been linked to him

While the Lakers have reportedly informed teams no player is considered untouchable, multiple reports suggest they can — and perhaps will — instead to wait to sign Leonard as a 2019 free agent.

Similar to the Paul George situation, there are risks associated with waiting to sign Leonard. While it is ideal to keep the young core intact and then add a player of Leonard’s caliber in free agency, the Spurs could trade him where his new team has at most one full season to persuade him to re-sign with them.

You May Also Like

Lakers Rumors: DeMarcus Cousins Won’t Sign During NBA Transaction Window To Focus On Return For 2020-21 Season

When the Los Angeles Lakers were assembling their roster around Anthony Davis and LeBron James, one of the…

NBA Rumors: Pistons Hire Former Lakers Executive Ryan West

The Detroit Pistons boosted their front office on Saturday by hiring former Los Angeles Lakers director of player…

NBA Rumors: Nets’ Steve Nash Targeting Lakers Assistant Phil Handy

The Brooklyn Nets made a surprise move by hiring Steve Nash to be the franchise’s next head coach. While Nash…

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Kyrie Irving ‘Wants’ To Play With Anthony Davis, ‘Still In Play’ For Lakers

In less than a week, there have been significant events that will likely change the landscape for the Los Angeles and all…