At Harris and Gordon. If it comes to a trade, the centerpiece of the package will be a young player or pick who either already looks to have or is at least presumed to have star potential and it will be to a team that's either on the verge of championship contention or with a chance to an accelerated path to one, because those are the types that would feel confident enough in getting Leonard re-signed to give up the requisite package.
This along with the Aldridge situation will probably scare them out of "African-American" superstars/stars. I realize that comprises the majority, but if push comes to shove, it's probably occurring with the 76ers or Celtics. If it's the former and the Suns, Hawks, Magic, Cavaliers (Hawks would like to trade Schroder, the rest need starting PG's) has the 2nd or 3rd pick, I wouldn't be shocked to see Fultz offered with the intent to select Doncic.
McDunough is maybe a year away from being fired anyway. He's already gone through 3 head coaches in 5 seasons. If they get Ayton or Doncic, they probably still don't make the playoffs. Then he'll really be jammed, no playoffs in 6 years, 4 head coaches, 11 1st round picks including 7 lottery picks and 4 top 5 picks.
They haven't made the playoffs in years, Sarver is a laughing stock.
They get Kawhi, their legendary medical staff 'fixes' his fake injury, and they're in the playoffs. They combine him with Booker, make the playoffs, and tons of good press. McDunough is then the genius who 'pulled a Morey' by moving assets for an MVP player with years of prime left.
Look at the other GMs in precarious situations. They throw the hail mary to save their jobs, because they knew they would be fired without even trying the hail mary. Orlando making the Ibaka move. Van Gundy getting Griffin. , why else would Van Gundy not even put up a fight over lotto protecting his 1st rounder? Because he didn't care about the future anymore, only the present season.
And if McDunough makes a trade for Kawhi, he wins the trade, period. Maybe the Spurs make out the best they can, but no matter what, the Spurs will lose any and every trade that involves Kawhi.
I know, but if they get Ayton or Doncic and they immediately appear as promising as advertised and Jackson shows marked improvement, all of a sudden they'd have one of the better young cores and depth of assets beyond them. That would give McDonough a chance to retain his job beyond next season. What wouldn't, is giving 2/3rds of that up for 1 season of Leonard, when it was known beforehand that he'd more than likely leave.
Ownership would be heavily involved with a trade of this magnitude. Sarver can't be that stupid and even if he is, someone who has his ear, would have to talk him down off the ledge.