Kawhi: "I'm pretty sure I'll be in a Spurs jersey for my whole life."

[NASpurs]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2014/11/11/kawhi-leonard-free-agency-future-san-antonio-vs-los-angeles-clippers-gregg-popovich/18838947/

"I don't think I'm going anywhere," Leonard said. "I mean they love me here. I like the organization, and if it was up to me, I want to finish out with one team like a lot of great players have done, to stay with one organization their whole career and just be loyal to that. You never know. We'll see what happens next summer, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in a Spurs jersey for my whole life."

[NASpurs]

:cry Kawhi :cry

[DesignatedT]

:tu

[midnightpulp]

Here's hoping.

And he does deserve the max, even if his scoring potential is only 15-16ppg. When you combine that with his defense and rebounding (might be the best SF in the league in those areas), he's worth it, especially when one way players like Gordon Hayward are getting paid.

[BillMc]

Good to hear it.
:bobo

[spursparker9]

The only obstacle is his agent, tbh.

[Robz4000]

Great news :tu

[milkyway21]

Memo to the agent :clap

[spursparker9]

(Leonard) has never said one thing to me or asked me one thing about 'Pop, why don't we ... ?' Or 'Pop, why don't you ... ?' or, 'Pop, can I ... ?'" Popovich said. "He just is unbelievably coachable and does whatever we ask him to do. He's a coach's dream, very honestly."


:lol

Seems like its damn true that Kawhi don't even talk to Pop.

[scanry]

Hypothetical question. How many teams can offer him a contract next summer? And do the Spurs match the highest offer?

Just glad Cuban will have to take care of his free agents in Chandler & Ellis next summer. Also glad that Morey will not have the money to make an offer.

[pookenstein]

Classic Pop...

That's the plan. We've got to start giving him the ball. You know, he's the future. I don't think Timmy (Duncan) and Manu (Ginobili) are going to play any more than maybe six or seven more years. So we've got to let somebody else do something.
:lol

[MI21]

The Spurs must have some sort of brainwashing cult facility tbh

To find players that have a common belief and think this way isn't normal, it's brainwashing I'm certain.

:cry Kawhi :cry

[mkurts]

The Spurs must have some sort of brainwashing cult facility tbh

To find players that have a common belief and think this way isn't normal, it's brainwashing I'm certain.

:cry Kawhi :cry

Need to brainwash him to take less money so the team can grab another good free agent

[Spur-Addict]

:cry

:lol Clipper Nation

[minuzzo21]

Great to hear it

[Uriel]

Hopefully Brian Doofus takes note.

[benefactor]

Not surprised at all to hear him say that. He's pretty much a perfect match for the Spurs from a game/personality standpoint.

[Uriel]

This is a great article that reveals a good number of interesting tidbits. Among them:

"We ran more plays for him tonight than I ever have in his career," Popovich said afterward. "That's the plan. We've got to start giving him the ball. You know, he's the future. I don't think Timmy (Duncan) and Manu (Ginobili) are going to play any more than maybe six or seven more years. So we've got to let somebody else do something."


Popovich's wry humor sparked laughter among the media, but he's as aware as anyone that Leonard's situation is a somewhat-serious matter. Leonard is the sort of young talent who needs to feel loved, to know that all the talk about how his role is so vital will be backed up on the floor. In that regard, this night was huge.

Leonard, known for his reserved and quiet nature, was more candid than ever afterward. He boldly discussed the difference between talk and action, saying of Popovich's comment, "It's better to really walk it instead of just hearing them talk about it."
(http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/spurs/2014/10/30/kawhi-leonard-spurs-gregg-popovich-rc-buford-klay-thompson/18176469/)
The Spurs have big plans for this summer, among them the idea of replacing Duncan with a free agent such as Marc Gasol if "The Big Fundamental" retires as expected. And with Leonard's salary cap hold proving so prohibitive had he received the extension he so desired, he's confident their vision will be realized.

[horsielove]

I'll be bumping this thread comes off-season. :bobo

[-21-]

Kawhi's not going anywhere. It's good to know he wants to stay.

[spursparker9]

After Timmy retires, can he recommend his agent to Kawhi for the rest of kawhi's career please

[exstatic]

Laker fan readies the noose...

[Brazil]

that's a nice quote :tu

Kawhi will get paid
His agent is just stirring the pot a bit to keep a bit of pressure on Spurs FO... his client does not want to go anywhere, he has to use some leverage to make sure he can get his fees

[exstatic]

that's a nice quote :tu

Kawhi will get paid
His agent is just stirring the pot a bit to keep a bit of pressure on Spurs FO... his client does not want to go anywhere, he has to use some leverage to make sure he can get his fees

I actually think everyone is playing. They know they're going to pay him and both side have agreed to wait until next summer so there is some cap room.

[Brazil]

I actually think everyone is playing. They know they're going to pay him and both side have agreed to wait until next summer so there is some cap room.

I agree... his agent is just doing his job

[FlAVaK]

^this.

[manufan10]

The Spurs must have some sort of brainwashing cult facility tbh

To find players that have a common belief and think this way isn't normal, it's brainwashing I'm certain.

:cry Kawhi :cry

CIA Pop, tbh. :lol

[scanry]

After Timmy retires, can he recommend his agent to Kawhi for the rest of kawhi's career please

Tim doesn't have an agent, atleast not since 2010. Tim's agent is the President of Sun's front office btw.

[jag]

"I'm pretty sure I'll be in a Spurs jersey for my whole life."

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2T6zBrxo--/18l0ft00z30w5gif.gif

[TheCerebral1]

There is no way that R.C. Buford would not match any contract for Leonard. He's a Spur for "at least" the next 5 years.

[davidbowie]

:cry thasmah mvp :cry

[loveforthegame]

:tu

[Budkin]

Max that mothefucker out Peter and RC!

[Phenomanul]

The Spurs must have some sort of brainwashing cult facility tbh

To find players that have a common belief and think this way isn't normal, it's brainwashing I'm certain.

:cry Kawhi :cry

And yet the guy in your avatar didn't "get" it...

[baseline bum]

Here's hoping.

And he does deserve the max, even if his scoring potential is only 15-16ppg. When you combine that with his defense and rebounding (might be the best SF in the league in those areas), he's worth it, especially when one way players like Gordon Hayward are getting paid.

Barring catastrophic injury, he's getting at least a 4 year max offer from the Spurs. With the new TV deal I'd just offer him the full 5 year Bird contract though.

[DarrinS]

Pay the man

[Old School 44]

Hypothetical question. How many teams can offer him a contract next summer? And do the Spurs match the highest offer?

Just glad Cuban will have to take care of his free agents in Chandler & Ellis next summer. Also glad that Morey will not have the money to make an offer.

Kawhi will definitely get the max from the Spurs. I doubt if anybody will offer Kawhi the max, because unlike Morey/Chandler, EVERYONE knows the Spurs will match....EVERYONE! The other thing in the Spurs favor, is Kawhi's not "hollywood" like say someone like Shaq. He's not leaving to LA to make movies and gain additionaly noteriety.

[KL2]

Spurs will match anybody, too valuable getting a player of his quality with an attitude like this, that is so damn rare.

I look forward to seeing how they build around him, I think they're trying to find a stretch 4 already, that's why they've been trying to play Daye. Maybe even why they drafted Anderson, trying to find him someone young to compliment him in the future.

All sorts of ways to build around him and the spurs core, Splitter/Leonard/Green, that's already close to an elite defense right there.

[Spur|n|Austin]

League, Dr. Leonard will see you now..

http://i.imgur.com/Da5jKbJ.jpg

[KL2]

Hypothetical question. How many teams can offer him a contract next summer? And do the Spurs match the highest offer?

Just glad Cuban will have to take care of his free agents in Chandler & Ellis next summer. Also glad that Morey will not have the money to make an offer.

Spurs will be desperate and will match anything, Manu/TD/Pop leaving will be huge on their own, but it means a loss financially for the team as well. People pay to see them, they have for the past 1000 years they've been in this league, that's a huge loss in revenue. Leonard helps counter that, budding star, already has signature Jordan shoes, very marketable player. Kid from LA, I've noticed he's got a bunch of fans out West too and probably gets recognition just because he's a fellow countryman, Spurs haven't had an exciting (well what the average fans considers exciting) American star since Robinson.

[manufan10]

League, Dr. Leonard will see you now..

http://i.imgur.com/Da5jKbJ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jvCHBsa.jpg

[Spur|n|Austin]

:lol

[Dverde]

We need to pull a Suns/Knicks move and sign his brother to a contract immediately. If he has no brother, then sign his mother to the Silver Stars.

[Bambililos]

The Spurs have big plans for this summer, among them the idea of replacing Duncan with a free agent such as Marc Gasol if "The Big Fundamental" retires as expected. And with Leonard's salary cap hold proving so prohibitive had he received the extension he so desired, he's confident their vision will be realized.
Intriguing. Obviously we'll miss Timmy, but a team with franchise player Kawhi, PG-led by TP with Gasol in the post and Manu for a last hourrah may work.

[gameFACE]

Agent: "One more time - run it for me real quick"

Kawhi: "I don't think I'm going anywhere, I mean they love me here. I like the organization, and if it was up to me, I want to finish out with one team like a lot of great players have done, to stay with one organization their whole career and just be loyal to that. You never know. We'll see what happens next summer, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in a Spurs jersey for my whole life."

Agent: "Good. Good. Have a great game tonight. Glad your eyesight is better"

[itzsoweezee]

I actually think everyone is playing. They know they're going to pay him and both side have agreed to wait until next summer so there is some cap room.
I agree. It's a no brainer that they give him the max and wait to sign him until the summer. It works out for everyone.

[DJR210]

San Antonio embraces your autism wonderfully Kawhi..that shit won't fly in LA/NYC.

[TheGreatYacht]

The only obstacle is his agent, tbh.
He's Jeff Ayres' agent too smfh.

[Budkin]

League, Dr. Leonard will see you now..

http://i.imgur.com/Da5jKbJ.jpg

:lmao

[milkyway21]

Agent: "One more time - run it for me real quick"

Kawhi: "I don't think I'm going anywhere, I mean they love me here. I like the organization, and if it was up to me, I want to finish out with one team like a lot of great players have done, to stay with one organization their whole career and just be loyal to that. You never know. We'll see what happens next summer, but I'm pretty sure I'll be in a Spurs jersey for my whole life."

Agent: "Good. Good. Have a great game tonight. Glad your eyesight is better"

:wakeup

By saying that it will be harder for other teams to sway him to leave the Spurs, might be a signal that in order for other interested teams to convince him to leave they have to offer him the max.

Looks like Kawhi just stating his asking price :D

[Budkin]

This is the only future the Spurs have. Top free agents will never sign here. Make it happen now!

[BatManu20]

^ What he said.

[pgardn]

Here's hoping.

And he does deserve the max, even if his scoring potential is only 15-16ppg. When you combine that with his defense and rebounding (might be the best SF in the league in those areas), he's worth it, especially when one way players like Gordon Hayward are getting paid.

This is a great point. He can stay with LeBron, and give Chris Paul fits at the right time in a game. This versatility gives Pop so many options defensively, especially with Green on the floor.

We can't break the bank on one guy though. He must see, if he really cares about winning, that the Spurs need flexibility after the old wise ones leave.

[milkyway21]

This is the only future the Spurs have. Top free agents will never sign here. Make it happen now!

POP if he can extend for few more yrs after Duncan retires is a big plus for some free agents who wants to earn a championship ring, and for those young NBA players with potentials who aspire to become his next protegee :)
plus, there's TP if he decides to stay too. Those two are winners.

[Holden_Caulfield]

my nigga :cry

[DrSteffo]

No drama queen, just as expected a perfect Spur.

[xmas1997]

I just heard on KSAT-TV that the real reason for all of this delay is because the Spurs are going to make a play to get Gasol next year.

I missed whether it was Marc or Pau.

My best guess is Marc since his free agency is coming up and he is being mum about it.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

Spurs will be desperate and will match anything, Manu/TD/Pop leaving will be huge on their own, but it means a loss financially for the team as well. People pay to see them, they have for the past 1000 years they've been in this league, that's a huge loss in revenue. Leonard helps counter that, budding star, already has signature Jordan shoes, very marketable player. Kid from LA, I've noticed he's got a bunch of fans out West too and probably gets recognition just because he's a fellow countryman, Spurs haven't had an exciting (well what the average fans considers exciting) American star since Robinson.

Who says Pop is leaving? Maybe Manu and Timmy, but Pop?

[MI21]

And yet the guy in your avatar didn't "get" it...

He got it enough to play a big role in sending The Admiral off with a ring and he was one of few who didn't look scared against OKC in 2012. Can't hate Buckets.

[exstatic]

Who says Pop is leaving? Maybe Manu and Timmy, but Pop?

Pop signed an extension, and on Woj's twitter feed, he said that his sources said Pop wanted to coach 4-5 more years, which would include this one, since he extended last summer.

[exstatic]

This is the only future the Spurs have. Top free agents will never sign here. Make it happen now!

Can't. The window closed 31 October, and won't open again until FA season next summer. Them's the rules.

[heyheymymy]

get it done this summer:bobo