Yahoo Sports: Lakers "recalibrating their focus" from LeBron to 2019 class (Kawhi)

[MaNu4Tres]

Boston would have no leverage since they couldn't sign Kawhi outright and they would have a of a time trying to clear $40 million off their cap to be able to make a run at him in free agency.

They would have leverage because the amount of teams Kawhi would be willing to sign an extension with would be very limited. Next year around the deadline, that main variable will be "will Kawhi sign the extension". If Boston is one of two teams, then Boston and the other team have a lot of leverage.

[baseline bum]

They would have leverage because the amount of teams Kawhi would be willing to sign an extension with would be very limited. Next year around the deadline, that main variable will be "will Kawhi sign the extension". If Boston is one of two teams, then Boston and the other team have a lot of leverage.

I don't buy it. Meeting the Spurs' asking price would land them a guy who would put the Celtics on par with Golden State to win a le, and it's the only way they'd be able to do it since they're so capped out now. And they'd be trading two players who wouldn't get minutes behind Kawhi and Hayward anyways. If Kawhi is willing to extend with Boston then Ainge is never pulling that deal off the table and if Kawhi doesn't guarantee extension then he's never offering that much whether it's this trade deadline, this summer, or next trade deadline. I don't think the Spurs lose anything by trying to convince Kawhi to stay and then dumping him to Boston around the deadline if they can't make any moves to keep him here.

[TD 21]

Pretty obvious now that teams around the league have managed to get reliable intelligence on this Kawhi situation..In one way or another, it appears that a serious breakdown in his relationship with the team/franchise has definitively occurred over the past six months or so..

They would be foolish if they don't open extension talks in the summer---even if he doesn't play another game for the rest of the season-- and any dithering on Kawhi's part, you would have to seriously start listening to trade overtures. At that point, the game would essentially be up.

I wouldn't worry about Leonard making it to the '19 free agent class, at least as a Spur. They've got to be intelligent enough to know that it can't get to that point. Once they presumably offer the super max in the off season, if he delays for an extended period or outright declines, he should be offered to to Celtics for the aforementioned package (and for you idiots complaining about the value, that would easily be the most received for a superstar or star in recent memory).

Probably none of these three is making it to free agency in '19.

[MaNu4Tres]

I wouldn't worry about Leonard making it to the '19 free agent class, at least as a Spur. They've got to be intelligent enough to know that it can't get to that point. Once they presumably offer the super max in the off season, if he delays for an extended period or outright declines, he should be offered to to Celtics for the aforementioned package (and for you idiots complaining about the value, that would easily be the most received for a superstar or star in recent memory).

Probably none of these three is making it to free agency in '19.

Agreed. Spurs would be idiots to wait that long.

In the event Kawhi is unhappy and wants out, you would think the Spurs would be able to gauge Kawhis' real interest in signing the super max before the time comes to offer the super max, no?

[TD 21]

Agreed. Spurs would be idiots to wait that long.

In the event Kawhi is unhappy and wants out, you would think the Spurs would be able to gauge Kawhis' real interest in signing the super max before the time comes to offer the super max, no?

They have to. Really, they should have a pretty good sense either way. They're the ones around him constantly, so whatever the truth is shouldn't come as a shock to them.

Of course, like Aldridge, if reparation is required, they should exhaust that first before proceeding. If he's not happy, find out what would make him happy. Is it this worldly, basketball isn't that important culture / shtick, that they seemingly enforce, is it the lack of a second perimeter star or a combination thereof? I don't buy the usual small market nonsense.

[MaNu4Tres]

like Aldridge, if reparation is required, they should exhaust that first before proceeding. If he's not happy, find out what would make him happy. Is it this worldly, basketball isn't that important culture / shtick, that they seemingly enforce, is it the lack of a second perimeter star or a combination thereof? I don't buy the usual small market nonsense.

If all the reports carry some weight and if Kawhis' uncle/Pop were just putting out the fire that was exposed to the public, this should all be taking place right about now, no?

[TD 21]

If all the reports carry some weight and if Kawhis' uncle/Pop were just putting out the fire that was exposed to the public, this should all be taking place right about now, no?

Ideally, but similar to the Aldridge situation, it's probably easier in the off season, when both sides have had some time to cool off and unwind.

It's funny, Aldridge got blasted for speaking his mind and not leaving them in the dark, while Leonard gets shielded for his seeming unwillingness to do the same. Even if you don't like what the former had to say, I'd much rather that approach.

[daslicer]

Does this mean you will go to Lakersground in 2019 and become a Lakerfan? If so that's a great consolation prize for losing Kawhi.

[DPG21920]

We're talking two seasons from now though. Murray doesn't look like such a great prospect while LA has some decent young talent in Ball, Kuzma, and Ingram plus they'll likely have capspace to go after Klay Thompson or Jimmy Butler too. Plus they're in Kawhi's hometown. Anyone who doesn't take them as a serious threat to poach Kawhi is nuts.

Bruh - I can’t speak for Kawhi and his motives and LA could be a threat, but it won’t be because of anything logical like front office/roster. Maybe Kawhi just loves and misses LA and that is enough for him.

But I dont take LA as a threat from the perspective of things people are discussing. Let’s throw out the front office for a moment (which is a complete got damn dumpster fire that trips over themselves daily) and just look at the roster:

Both SA and LaL have a Kawhi-less roster at the moment and one of those rosters is damn near 15 games better. I don’t disagree that LA has some nice young pieces but they are still miles away from being a playoff team let alone being a WCF caliber team which this current Spurs team with Kawhi is.

Kawhi’s next deal will be 4-5 years long so from a compe ive perspective that’s all he cares about. I find it hard to believe that even with their young talent growing that if both rosters stayed the same that LA would leap frog SA in the standings. LMA still has 3-4 quality years, Kyle/Danny/Forbes/Bertans have all shown good things and having just a legit all-star player like LMA is a massive advantage which is why SA is winning so much without Kawhi compared to LA with all their talent.

LA has not attracted jack sh*t in a long time, but even if you wanted to speculate they could land Klay or Jimmy with their current core I don’t think that player makes them 15 games better (and that’s assuming that SA cant add anyone) .

I don’t see a reason to believe that for the next 3-5 years SA even as currently constructed would be a better team than LA as currently constructed.

[emanueldavidginobili]

If he was to go anywhere I could see him going to LA, That’s his home.

[DPG21920]

I said an effective no trade clause, just like Paul George had that kept Indiana from getting anything decent from Boston. Who are you trading Kawhi for?

Dude, you know you are being overly pessimistic when you are arguing that SA wouldn’t get something good for Kawhi AND that LAL who without Kawhi vs SA without Kawhi are far worse would be better over the next 3-5 years.

[SuperCam]

Does this mean you will go to Lakersground in 2019 and become a Lakerfan? If so that's a great consolation prize for losing Kawhi.

if this franchise loses kiwi for nothing then it doesn't matter where any fan goes because it will become the Seattle Spurs before the end of the next decade tbh

[daslicer]

if this franchise loses kiwi for nothing then it doesn't matter where any fan goes because it will become the Seattle Spurs before the end of the next decade tbh

Nice to see that you have a new trolling shtick in case Kawhi leaves in which you will spam the board with for years . Anyways I live in Charlotte so it doesn't effect me if the Spurs move.

[baseline bum]

Bruh - I can’t speak for Kawhi and his motives and LA could be a threat, but it won’t be because of anything logical like front office/roster. Maybe Kawhi just loves and misses LA and that is enough for him.

But I dont take LA as a threat from the perspective of things people are discussing. Let’s throw out the front office for a moment (which is a complete got damn dumpster fire that trips over themselves daily) and just look at the roster:

Both SA and LaL have a Kawhi-less roster at the moment and one of those rosters is damn near 15 games better. I don’t disagree that LA has some nice young pieces but they are still miles away from being a playoff team let alone being a WCF caliber team which this current Spurs team with Kawhi is.

Kawhi’s next deal will be 4-5 years long so from a compe ive perspective that’s all he cares about. I find it hard to believe that even with their young talent growing that if both rosters stayed the same that LA would leap frog SA in the standings. LMA still has 3-4 quality years, Kyle/Danny/Forbes/Bertans have all shown good things and having just a legit all-star player like LMA is a massive advantage which is why SA is winning so much without Kawhi compared to LA with all their talent.

LA has not attracted jack sh*t in a long time, but even if you wanted to speculate they could land Klay or Jimmy with their current core I don’t think that player makes them 15 games better (and that’s assuming that SA cant add anyone) .

I don’t see a reason to believe that for the next 3-5 years SA even as currently constructed would be a better team than LA as currently constructed.

I don't know man, Aldridge isn't Duncan and I don't expect him to age nearly as well after hearing him scoff Duncan's practice habits. The Spurs have a massively aging core and the younger players aren't that talented. If Buford can't get some more young talent in here I think the Lakers roster looks much more promising if I'm Kawhi and looking at supporting casts in two years with no Parker, no Ginobili, and no Gasol.

[DPG21920]

I don't know man, Aldridge isn't Duncan and I don't expect him to age nearly as well after hearing him scoff Duncan's practice habits. The Spurs have a massively aging core and the younger players aren't that talented. If Buford can't get some more young talent in here I think the Lakers roster looks much more promising if I'm Kawhi and looking at supporting casts in two years with no Parker, no Ginobili, and no Gasol.

We will just have to disagree. LMA will be and is better than anyone on LAs roster for the next few years.

[baseline bum]

We will just have to disagree. LMA will be and is better than anyone on LAs roster for the next few years.

Even if he is still better than Ingram in two years I still I can't say I expect fatass Mills to be better than Ball or Green/Forbes/Bertans to be better than Kuzma. It's a miracle this team is 3rd in the west with how crap this roster is outside of Leonard + Aldridge. And Ginobili isn't going to be here in two years to clean up so many messes.

[DPG21920]

Cool. Put your faith in a Lakers team that has been a bottom dweller for how many years now? A team who wants to trade away Randle, gave Clarkson & Deng those deals, dumped Russell for nothing and has Lonzo whose dad is already a massive headache.

[dabom]

Lakers are worse than bums. He ain't going there.

[baseline bum]

Cool. Put your faith in a Lakers team that has been a bottom dweller for how many years now? A team who wants to trade away Randle, gave Clarkson & Deng those deals, dumped Russell for nothing and has Lonzo whose dad is already a massive headache.

So is Mills going to stop being fat in two years?

[CGD]

LOL, yahoo just pushing out an idea/thought exercise WOJ had in one of his most recent podcasts.

[DPG21920]

So is Mills going to stop being fat in two years?

Nope, but even with Mills being bad SA still is a lot better than La is right now. So with Forbes/White/Murray growing, ya, I can see SA being better as Mills gets more phased out

[Stabula]

ST logic: leonard is done and will never be the same player again; unless he goes to another team, then he becomes a hall of famer again.

[Stand]

Could be wrong, but Kawhi is one of the last stars I'd ever see joining the Lakers. Hard to imagine someone with his personality/demeanor enjoying being a part of that circus.

Solid point. The guy would have the media so far up his ass right now it wouldn't even be funny, and you'd constantly have the shadow of Kobe leering over your shoulder. So from that aspect, he has the world by balls here in SA.

[cd98]

Kawhi turn down $$$$. Doubt it. Only way he leaves is if Spurs offend him by not offering super max. People here think he doesn’t care about money? Ha. They all care about money. Spurs players just agree to a little less money but get it on the backend of their loyalty contract which comes right before they retire.

[Brunodf]

humm..why?

People often associate Kawhi quiet behavior being "TD like" and end up concluding that Kawhi is pretty much like him but they forget that even though Duncan didn't care much for the media he was always friends/best friends with most of the players that he ever played with, because as a franchise player he knew that he probably would've to play with them for a long time..

It's only speculation of course, but maybe Kawhi quiet behavior/lack of communication isn't just because he's a shy person, considering he's from California where he lived his entire life before the NBA, there's a chance that he envisioned spending his career in a different city and truly doesn't like being in SA.