Young: sources tell @ExpressNews that Kawhi Leonard wants to be traded from Spurs

[Play Boban]

Ignoring your extreme white bias shtick, he led Utah to 1 playoff appearance and they made it just as far the following season without him

He's a nice #3 guy who could pass for better in the correct system(and then get exposed in the playoffs)..he's like a prime Joe Johnson-caliber talent..

They replaced him with another number one guy tbh (Mitc ), and added a co percent point guard (Rubio) tbh.

I think you and I have different definitions of number one guys tbh...he was the number one guy on a playoff team already tbh. Maybe he wouldn’t be the number one guy on most le winning teams (though he would’ve been on the 2014 Spurs tbh), but he’s a number one on most teams tbh....

[Play Boban]

He's not a natural #1 at all. Like I said, he's a complementary guy.

He’s a top 30 player on the league, and given there’s only 30 teams, I’m not sure how he’s not a number one tbh...

[Vic Petro]

He’s a top 30 player on the league, and given there’s only 30 teams, I’m not sure how he’s not a number one tbh...

A #1, to me, means “I can win a ring with this guy as my best player.”

Not the case with Hayward.

[HarlemHeat37]

They replaced him with another number one guy tbh (Mitc ), and added a co percent point guard (Rubio) tbh.

I think you and I have different definitions of number one guys tbh...he was the number one guy on a playoff team already tbh. Maybe he wouldn’t be the number one guy on most le winning teams (though he would’ve been on the 2014 Spurs tbh), but he’s a number one on most teams tbh....

If you're being literal about it, sure, but who cares a visibly declining Goran Dragic was technically a #1 on a playoff team this season, for example..

We're discussing #1 options on le contending teams..

[Mr. Body]

He’s a top 30 player on the league, and given there’s only 30 teams, I’m not sure how he’s not a number one tbh...

He wouldn't be a #1 option on an ideal team. This isn't that hard. He does everything else, but you'd want a guy like Kyrie or whatever. MJ was a #1, Pippen was not, even though Pippen was a top player in the league.

[tholdren]

He wouldn't be a #1 option on an ideal team. This isn't that hard. He does everything else, but you'd want a guy like Kyrie or whatever. MJ was a #1, Pippen was not, even though Pippen was a top player in the league.

Lol kyrie as a number one. Lolololollklolol

[callo1]

i often read this but im not sure if there’s any truth to it. it has been proven that market size is irrelevant in sheer sales volume. kyrie, followed by lebron had the best selling signature basketball shoes in 2017.

KL isn’t going to magically start selling more sneakers in LA. fans are attracted to dynamic athletes with personality, regardless of their location. also worth noting that Jordan Brand repped athletes usually have a poor sales track record.

I agree that the market does not play a major role in endorsements anymore. Social media has really leveled the playing field in that regard. Back in the day, a player pretty much had to be in a large market to capitalize on lare endorsement deals, not anymore.

I do think being able to speak for yourself and have some sort of charisma matters. In that regard kawhi is limiting himself regardless of where he plays.

[Mr. Body]

Lol kyrie as a number one. Lolololollklolol

I think you morons don't understand what #1 means. It means the guy who is the focus of an offense. Kyrie was sure as the #1 for Boston when he was healthy last year.

[coachmac87]

Ignoring your extreme white bias shtick, he led Utah to 1 playoff appearance and they made it just as far the following season without him

He's a nice #3 guy who could pass for better in the correct system(and then get exposed in the playoffs)..he's like a prime Joe Johnson-caliber talent..

Racist comment...

[DPG21920]

You still want this back, D?

He’s dead to be but getting him under contract would be huge whether or not SA keeps him.

[HarlemHeat37]

You still want this back, D?

If they work out and he signs a long deal, all will be forgotten on my side

You don't pass up elite talent in this league..

[marinoman]

If they work out and he signs a long deal, all will be forgotten on my side

You don't pass up elite talent in this league..

Honestly if I thought oj simpson could help us win a championship id take him too

[sasaint]

If they work out and he signs a long deal, all will be forgotten on my side

You don't pass up elite talent in this league..

If they work out, all but about 5 posters here will immediately jump back on the train and claim they were always on board.

[Vic Petro]

I think you morons don't understand what #1 means. It means the guy who is the focus of an offense. Kyrie was sure as the #1 for Boston when he was healthy last year.

You cannot win a ring with Kyrie as your best player, so he’s not a #1. The “focus” of the Hawks offense was Dennis ing Schroeder

[Play Boban]

I think you morons don't understand what #1 means. It means the guy who is the focus of an offense. Kyrie was sure as the #1 for Boston when he was healthy last year.

That’s true. And Hayward was sure as the #1 for Utah.

I think Kylie and Hayward would have shared #1 duties in Boston this past year if they were both healthy. Maybe Kylie gets more usage because he is a hero baller tbh.

[Play Boban]

You cannot win a ring with Kyrie as your best player, so he’s not a #1. The “focus” of the Hawks offense was Dennis ing Schroeder

By that metric, the only current #1s are LeBron, Durant, Curry, and Kawhitter, then? Such a small list tbh....

[SuperCam]

By that metric, the only current #1s are LeBron, Durant, Curry, and Kawhitter, then? Such a small list tbh....

neither is kiwi then since he doesn't even have one WCF win under his name as leader

[Thomas82]

I don't think Kawhi has really thought this thing out. In San Antonio he is basically protected. Media coverage in SA is like a 3-5 mph breeze on a late summer evening. In a place like Los Angeles he'll be inside an EF 5 tornado. He'll be miserable. As far as endorsements are concerned he'll need to set the league on fire and develop a much more outgoing personality. Right now he couldn't sell ice cones to people living in the Mojave desert.

i often read this but im not sure if there’s any truth to it. it has been proven that market size is irrelevant in sheer sales volume. kyrie, followed by lebron had the best selling signature basketball shoes in 2017.

KL isn’t going to magically start selling more sneakers in LA. fans are attracted to dynamic athletes with personality, regardless of their location. also worth noting that Jordan Brand repped athletes usually have a poor sales track record.

That's why this whole ploy by Kawhi's group is re ed. Going to a bigger market isn't going to magically make Kawhi marketable unless he changes his personality overnight (hint: he won't). Especially if he goes to a superteam where he is fighting guys like Lebron, George, or Paul for the limelight.

He was doing just fine with his Jordan marketing (easily the biggest Spurs push since Duncan's Adidas deal) until his dumbass uncle balked at their offer. Does he really think that if Kawhi puts on a Laker jersey, they are suddenly going to open the checkbook again after he snubbed them?

You know what would make Kawhi profitable? Him becoming MVP or leading his homegrown team to the Finals. Or, you know...signing a ing supermax contract.

Kawhi and his grifters.....I mean handlers definitely didn't think this all the way through.

[Play Boban]

neither is kiwi then since he doesn't even have one WCF win under his name as leader

That’s a fair point. And he quits on his teams tbh. You could argue about Durant too.

[acoelho1]

I still expect Paul George to leave OKC but if he stays, this could have a postive impact on trades to teams other than the Fakers. Teams could see a blueprint to signing Kawhi since PG also wanted to go to LA.

[Vic Petro]

By that metric, the only current #1s are LeBron, Durant, Curry, and Kawhitter, then? Such a small list tbh....

Can you win a ring with a guy as your best player, not have you won a ring with a guy as your best player.

Kyrie doesnt fit the bill for me. The players you mentioned do. Imo I would add Anthony Davis, Giannis, Harden. Still too early to tell on Simmons but promising start. There’s very few first bananas in the NBA but there’s a reason only 5 teams or so have a shot at a le every year.

Not trying to on Kyrie...I think he’s a damn good scorer but he’s a level below those other guys I mentioned. There’s not 30 guys in the league you can build a team around and win a le, if that’s what you’re intimating.

[TD 21]

He was one of the most productive college players in that season that he came out; 23.5 ppg, 47 FG%, 40% 3pt, 6 rpg, 6 apg.

I would take the risk on him if the 76'ers offer him up.

If it eventually comes to a trade and the Celtics play hardball with Brown, I probably would, too. Spurs would obviously have to do their due diligence first, but they should be able to get good intel from Brett Brown.

I'd prefer to wait until October 17th, though. That not only provides time to exhaust the reconciliation/super max extension possibility with Leonard, but preseason to gauge Fultz in game.

Think the 76ers offer will be Fultz, Covington, Heat unprotected '21 1st, Spurs option of swapping Mills-Bayless and choice of 2 minor pieces (Anderson, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Bolden, Pasecniks, 2nds). I believe the impetus of the Bridges-Smith swap, was so that the Heat pick could serve as one of the linchpins of their package instead of either Saric or Smith.

Murray could be offered to the Magic for 2 2nds. They have 4 in '19, 2 of which should be in the 30s.

Starters: Gay, Covington, Aldridge, Green, Fultz
Bench: Gasol, Parker, Anderson, White, Bertans, Walker
Deep bench: Milutinov, Forbes, 1 or 2 of 76ers "minor pieces"

Should keep Spurs in contention for playoffs short term, while simultaneously accelerating a re-build, which would probably be their goal.

[exstatic]

If it eventually comes to a trade and the Celtics play hardball with Brown, I probably would, too. Spurs would obviously have to do their due diligence first, but they should be able to get good intel from Brett Brown.

I'd prefer to wait until October 17th, though. That not only provides time to exhaust the reconciliation/super max extension possibility with Leonard, but preseason to gauge Fultz in game.

Think the 76ers offer will be Fultz, Covington, Heat unprotected '21 1st, Spurs option of swapping Mills-Bayless and choice of 2 minor pieces (Anderson, Luwawu-Cabarrot, Bolden, Pasecniks, 2nds). I believe the impetus of the Bridges-Smith swap, was so that the Heat pick could serve as one of the linchpins of their package instead of either Saric or Smith.

Murray could be offered to the Magic for 2 2nds. They have 4 in '19, 2 of which should be in the 30s.

Starters: Gay, Covington, Aldridge, Green, Fultz
Bench: Gasol, Parker, Anderson, White, Bertans, Walker
Deep bench: Milutinov, Forbes, 1 or 2 of 76ers "minor pieces"

Should keep Spurs in contention for playoffs short term, while simultaneously accelerating a re-build, which would probably be their goal.

We drafted Murray in the first round, and in his second year, he’s already All D. That’s worth WAY more than a pair of seconds.

[K...]

I'd only trade Murray after a fair compe ion to show offense. Should easily get a late lottery pick in a weak draft if we need to.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Murray DESPERATELY needs a jumper