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

[Russ]

Don't know if this has been posted from "Pounding the Rock" yet:

Report: The Spurs’ leverage has increased because the Lakers need to deal for Kawhi Leonard soon

The Spurs may be in the driver’s seat now that time is running out for L.A.’s chances to pair LeBron James with Kawhi Leonard.

By Jeph Duarte and J.R. Wilco Jun 27, 2018, 2:22pm CDT

LeBron James has a decision to make, and he has until Friday to make it. First of all, if he opts out of his current contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers he must do so tomorrow. In the event that James does opt out and engage in free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers have cleared enough cap space to make a push for him.

According to an ESPN story today from Woj, Windy, and Ramona, they have sources that indicate that James is:

hesitant to be the first superstar to decide on the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency, pressure is mounting for the Lakers front office to execute a trade with the San Antonio Spurs to acquire disgruntled All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard

At the same time Magic Johnson, President of Basketball Operations for the Lakers, has attempted to lure Kawhi Leonard from San Antonio. It is widely believed Leonard wants to play for the Lakers and that having him join will encourage LeBron to head out to Hollywood.

As reported by ESPN, the pressure is on the Lakers to make a deal for Leonard before James makes a decision.

With that in mind, if the Spurs decide to deal Kawhi, their leverage seems to be as high as it’s been since Leonard’s group reportedly let his trade request leak. According to Ramona Shelburne, when the Lakers did reach out, the Spurs “shut the door.” Without Kawhi or Paul George (who last summer pledged allegiance to the Lakers and is now waffling with regard to leaving Oklahoma City), James may be less likely to move.

Which has many deducing that James wants to play with Kawhi — or at least whichever superstar(s) are interested in joining him on the Lakers.

Meanwhile, R. C. Buford has expressed publicly that the Spurs intend to maintain Leonard. This would imply PATFO is working to mend fences and perhaps offer Leonard the super max once they’re able to. But if Kawhi is adamant about leaving San Antonio, then the:

. . . price for Leonard would be substantial. The Lakers could have to surrender a combination of former first-round picks -- from Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart -- and future first-round picks and perhaps restricted free agent Julius Randle in a sign-and-trade agreement.

Not the best deal in the world, but not bad for the position the team found itself in 12 days ago.

https://www.poundingtherock.com/2018...ba-free-agency

[tbdog]

There's really no one on the Lakers I would want.

Kuzma: Already 23-24 so low ceiling.
Imgram: Just don't see him developing into that good of a player.
Lonzo: No
Randle: Not worth the salary he's about to get

Ingram + Kuzma + picks is still better than nothing but I still like sixers and Celtics assets way better. Lakers would have to use Deng to match contracts, which makes the deal even worse.

Ingram second year stats: 16.1ppg, 5.3reb, 3.9ast. 47% and 39% from 3.
Leonard second year stats: 11.9ppg, 6.0reb, 1.6ast, 49% and 37% from 3.

Ingram is already an established defender and I see him as one of the better wing defenders in the league shortly. He will never be Leonard good on defense, as he is probably the best ever. But to say he isn't going to develope into a good player is naive.

Kuzma ceiling is a 6 man, scoring combo forward, taking backup forward off the dribble. Spark plug type of thing.

As for Lonzo, I think he has future potential. Regardless, Spurs could flip him for something they prefer.

The question to ask is if the Spurs think whoever they are getting in the trade for Leonard will make a 9 man rotation in the playoffs, and will any of them become an allstar.

[KDKSpurs24]

Spurs, hopefully.

Let’s say we even get one more of their players. Doesn’t that mean that Lebron(if he even comes) and Kawhi will only have a bunch of old ring chasers for the vet min as their role players? That doesn’t beat Golden State does it?

[offset formation]

https://twitter.com/JeffGSpursZone/s...496203777?s=19

http://news4sanantonio.com/sports/sp...evy-of-players

[coachmac87]

I want Wagner in the deal...that’s a must

[spurs10]

Ingram second year stats: 16.1ppg, 5.3reb, 3.9ast. 47% and 39% from 3.
Leonard second year stats: 11.9ppg, 6.0reb, 1.6ast, 49% and 37% from 3.

Ingram is already an established defender and I see him as one of the better wing defenders in the league shortly. He will never be Leonard good on defense, as he is probably the best ever. But to say he isn't going to develope into a good player is naive.

Kuzma ceiling is a 6 man, scoring combo forward, taking backup forward off the dribble. Spark plug type of thing.

As for Lonzo, I think he has future potential. Regardless, Spurs could flip him for something they prefer.

The question to ask is if the Spurs think whoever they are getting in the trade for Leonard will make a 9 man rotation in the playoffs, and will any of them become an allstar.

Yes, as well as considering how they might be helping an adversary. Why would they? They owe nothing to Kawhi, he just took a fortune for an entire season to rehab. Nice of the Spurs.

[Down Under]

A lot of the chatter around Randle seems to be in the 12-15 mil per range which seems low despite his lack of shooting. He's shown he can switch onto guards pretty well on the perimeter & was even their best rim protector last season (not saying much). I'd want him, Ingram & another prospect (not Kuzma, whatever they could get for ball). They won't be able to include him in S&T though, he'll want to explore what someone could actually pay him. Magic will have to call the 28 other teams before July 1 to see what he can get for Kuzma/Ball.

[spurs10]

Wrong qoute my bad spurs10

[tbdog]

Yes, as well as considering how they might be helping an adversary. Why would they? They owe nothing to Kawhi, he just took a fortune for an entire season to rehab. Nice of the Spurs.

Got to think whats best for the Spurs and not some revenge thought process. I can't think of another prospect available better than Ingram.

[Russ]

A lot of the chatter around Randle seems to be in the 12-15 mil per range which seems low despite his lack of shooting. He's shown he can switch onto guards pretty well on the perimeter & was even their best rim protector last season (not saying much). I'd want him, Ingram & another prospect (not Kuzma, whatever they could get for ball).

I agree -- Ingram and Randle are the two best Lakers (even though the Lakers have treated Randle like dirt).

[Killakobe81]

Ingram second year stats: 16.1ppg, 5.3reb, 3.9ast. 47% and 39% from 3.
Leonard second year stats: 11.9ppg, 6.0reb, 1.6ast, 49% and 37% from 3.

Ingram is already an established defender and I see him as one of the better wing defenders in the league shortly. He will never be Leonard good on defense, as he is probably the best ever. But to say he isn't going to develope into a good player is naive.

Kuzma ceiling is a 6 man, scoring combo forward, taking backup forward off the dribble. Spark plug type of thing.

As for Lonzo, I think he has future potential. Regardless, Spurs could flip him for something they prefer.

The question to ask is if the Spurs think whoever they are getting in the trade for Leonard will make a 9 man rotation in the playoffs, and will any of them become an allstar.

At least you are honest and realistic I truly don't wanna lose Ingram or Lonzo for that matter... Yet. Wouldn't mind seeing Lavar leave... Though. I actually respect his hustle but dude is a habitual line stepper...
But I get the cost for KL is steep...

[KDKSpurs24]

Yes, as well as considering how they might be helping an adversary. Why would they? They owe nothing to Kawhi, he just took a fortune for an entire season to rehab. Nice of the Spurs.

But it’s still not even about that. You’re looking at it that way but they’re looking at it as trying to help themselves. You have to remember that we already have a team and their job is to try to get pieces that fit with the current players. I’m sure they would want to avoid business with Lakers but they’re just trying to put together a respectable team considering the cir stances. This isn’t about anyone else but the Spurs trying to help the Spurs at the end of the day.

[spurs10]

Yes, as well as considering how they might be helping an adversary. Why would they? They owe nothing to Kawhi, he just took a fortune for an entire season to rehab. Nice of the Spurs.

This being said, I have no idea if Kawhi has any desire other than to reach an agreement with the Spurs. Most everything I've heard is media speculation. I prefer to go with R.C.'s quotes saying 'we want him as long as possible.' If he does want to go to the Lakers then he can, next year.

[spurs10]

Got to think whats best for the Spurs and not some revenge thought process. I can't think of another prospect available better than Ingram.

Yeah, I'm with you there, no revenge scenarios. What's good for the team is the deal! I'm glad to hear the positive reviews of some of these guys I only saw play a few games.

[spurs10]

But it’s still not even about that. You’re looking at it that way but they’re looking at it as trying to help themselves. You have to remember that we already have a team and their job is to try to get pieces that fit with the current players. I’m sure they would want to avoid business with Lakers but they’re just trying to put together a respectable team considering the cir stances. This isn’t about anyone else but the Spurs trying to help the Spurs at the end of the day.

[Down Under]

I agree -- Ingram and Randle are the two best Lakers (even though the Lakers have treated Randle like dirt).

The Lakers base are really struggling with the fact that LeBron James - the 2nd greatest player ever, is not coming to the franchise if they can't trade for the best 2-way player in the game who will probably soon be the best player, health permitting. They honestly think they aren't competing against anyone, so don't give them anything.

[midnightpulp]

If the Spurs just take Magic's crap in exchange for our Hall of Famer before free agency gets sorted out I'm done with this team. RC can't possibly be that stupid.

I'm with you on that. Also done with today's NBA if the Spurs act as the catalyst to build a Lakers superteam. This superteam era is in' .

[raybies]

https://youtu.be/GC5w-ZJ5uGc

I don’t know why y’all are so low on Ingram... this is the last game I remember him playing... either don’t like the offers currently but I’m higher on Ingram than most.

[midnightpulp]

I don't like your tone, Clev.

Get on your knees and beg better like your boy Magic.

Magic is our boy, too, Mug

As long as he brings in Machado.

[szkorhetz]

I'm with you on that. Also done with today's NBA if the Spurs act as the catalyst to build a Lakers superteam. This superteam era is in' .

There is simply no reason to keep the current Spurs team together.
As they are built, there is no way, they could best GSW, therefore trading all the older, more experienced players for picks and youngsters would essentially help them storm the time until GSW(They don't have any youth at all)/LAL(every young, insteresting player have to be part of the KL deal) gets old, and then the 26-27 years old, prime Spurs could beat the out of the NBA.

[midnightpulp]

https://youtu.be/GC5w-ZJ5uGc

I don’t know why y’all are so low on Ingram... this is the last game I remember him playing... either don’t like the offers currently but I’m higher on Ingram than most.

I like him, but I don't like him as a Spur. You also have to consider the personality/psychological aspects of players, and players who leave/are traded from the Lakers notoriously underperform. It's like they get depressed or something being away from the LA glitz and glamor. Ingram seems the type to sulk while in San Antonio. I don't care what lip-service respect he'd pay to Pop and the organization, he'd grow restless at the lack of nightlife, celebrity connects, and the like, and it would translate to underwhelming on-court play.

[midnightpulp]

[FONT="]There is simply no reason to keep the current Spurs team together. [/FONT]
As they are built, there is no way, they could best GSW, therefore trading all the older, more experienced players for picks and youngsters would essentially help them storm the time until GSW(They don't have any youth at all)/LAL(every young, insteresting player have to be part of the KL deal) gets old, and then the 26-27 years old, prime Spurs could beat the out of the NBA.

None of the Lakers youth are particularly interesting, and I also think they're the personality types that would bolt SA as soon as they're FAs.

[BatManu20]

Less than 10% chance Kawhi is traded in the next 48 hours imo. This will drag out well into Free Agency.

[BatManu20]

None of the Lakers youth are particularly interesting, and I also think they're the personality types that would bolt SA as soon as they're FAs.

Agreed. Follow Ingram and Kuzma on social media and both seem enamored with LA.

[TimDunkem]

No one really wants to play in SA. These are things we know.