NBA Trade Rumors: Celtics Have Not Received Assurances From Kawhi Leonard On Re-Signing

Dan Duangdao
2 Min Read
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

With free agency nearing, the Los Angeles Lakers are attempting to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs before July 1.

If president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka are successful, it would reportedly ‘clinch’ a commitment from LeBron James.

The 33-year-old is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2018-19 NBA season by the June 29 deadline.

As San Antonio currently has little-to-no leverage with Leonard’s trade request to his hometown, they are currently in discussions with the Lakers as well as the Boston Celtics.

However, according to Mark Murphy who previously covered the team for the Boston Herald, the Celtics have not received any assurances from Leonard if they ultimately trade for him beyond the upcoming season:

While the Celtics certainly have the assets to complete a Leonard trade, they are in the same position as most teams. If the two-time All-Star truly wants to play in Los Angeles, trading numerous assets for a potential one-year rental is a major risk.

As for the Lakers, they reportedly are willing to trade Brandon Ingram and a future first round draft pick for Leonard. However, it ultimately may not be enough as the Spurs are currently seeking additional players and draft picks.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.