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

[Dverde]

We need leaders to talk our leader into coming back to be our leader. I’m fairly certain he has a new phone number only known by his family and inner circle.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Not enough has been said on how Kawhi is killing his own career. By A, being willing to sit out, B saying LA or nothing, and C saying he doesn’t want to be a one year rental, Kawhi’s camp is ruining his career piece by piece. If we take what his camp is supposedly saying as truth (and at this point that’s all we have to go on), Kawhi is driving down his own value next summer. If the Spurs don’t trade him, he holds out, and the Spurs then let him walk next summer, he’ll have basically lost two full seasons of the prime of his career and he’ll only have 2 teams, rather than 30, bidding for his services.

Kawhi’s camp can be thankful for the Clippers because Magic is shrewd enough that Kawhi probably wouldn’t sniff $20m per season much less a max deal under that scenario. As it is, the Clips will want him badly enough to pay him, but if he comes back and confirms he doesn’t want to be LeBron’s , then the Clipppers will have full control. Even if his camp recants their stance on where he’ll play, he’ll still have put doubt in most of the league about whether he’s worth the risk. High risk and problem players usually don’t convert to max deals. Who knows if he’ll be healthy, what his mental state is, is Uncle Dennis going to hinder incessantly, etc. Not max money, and not the character guy that commands big endorsement deals.

If Kawhi doesn’t play this year, and play well, he’s screwed far worse than the Spurs will be.

[JPB]

Off Topic: David Robinson, Part 2 - https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...2-13075559.php

Speaking of players and teams, the situation with Kawhi Leonard is the biggest NBA mystery at this point. Did you try and intervene? I’m sure the Spurs are hoping to save the relationship.

Yeah, I’m still hoping. I think it’s frustrating from one point because we’ve had this great success. We’ve built on this for so many years, and it seems like a natural progression. You go from me to Tim Duncan, to Kawhi Leonard. It just seems like it made sense. But clearly, it doesn’t make sense to somebody. So, it is frustrating at a certain level, but at the same time, you can’t expect everybody to think in the same way. I remember when Tim Duncan was thinking about leaving San Antonio. It’s simple man, just come and have a conversation. Let’s sit down and talk. And we sat down and talked. I said, “Tim, why would you leave a situation where you have a championship level team; you’re going to win more championships, and go to a situation where you hope to put together a group that can win championships. That doesn’t make any sense.” And in this particular situation, you’re going to take less money now to do that? That doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I don’t understand the logic. It seems like a simple conversation would be able to bring some simple logic to the guy. And say, “Look man. Let’s think this through. Does it even make sense to anybody?” Why do you think everybody is wondering what the heck is going on? You have that kind of a conversation face-to-face, it seems like you can figure it out. But I think that’s why everyone is baffled because nothing makes sense about this whole scenario. Here is a franchise that spent 25 years and has a reputation for taking care of players. Not just the star players, I’m talking about the Cory Joseph’s, the Boban Marjanovic’s. The guys that have come in here and gotten contracts other places. Jonathon Simmons. We’ve nurtured these guys. We’ve haven’t been mad at them when they had other opportunities. They go and take those other opportunities. That’s their blessing. We send coaches out there who have other opportunities. I mean they have a long track record of actually supporting guys. Now, why would you fight that and turn the team into the enemy? That doesn’t make sense. So, a lot of things about this don’t make sense. It seems like simple conversations could really solve some of the problems. But to this day, I don’t hear him talking. I mean, who is saying all this stuff. If it’s you, speak up. If it’s you, step forward and be the man. You’re the face franchise. I don’t want to hear about anybody else in your party. I want to hear from you.

If you don't feel like a spurs fan after reading this, you never will.

Any person who wants to know what fans mean by "spurs culture" should read this. How many people here could have written every word of this ? I know I do.

David is a spurs at heart and the definition of franchise player. Seeing Leonard and the group threaten and despise what he initiated and built must be painful for him.

This is why it's more than just a disgruntled player wanted to be traded in this drama now. This about THE SPURS.

Respect David.

[Keepin' it real]

I’m sick of the rumors. I want real news.

[offset formation]

SG = Shooting Guard. The guy can’t shoot. When he learns to consistently knockdown shots, he’d be best at 3D and start White at PG. Hopefully Walker can play 2, with Gay and LMA at 4 and 5.

Yep. Which would give the Spurs LOTS of options for mismatches.

[cd98]

Not enough has been said on how Kawhi is killing his own career. By A, being willing to sit out, B saying LA or nothing, and C saying he doesn’t want to be a one year rental, Kawhi’s camp is ruining his career piece by piece. If we take what his camp is supposedly saying as truth (and at this point that’s all we have to go on), Kawhi is driving down his own value next summer. If the Spurs don’t trade him, he holds out, and the Spurs then let him walk next summer, he’ll have basically lost two full seasons of the prime of his career and he’ll only have 2 teams, rather than 30, bidding for his services.

Kawhi’s camp can be thankful for the Clippers because Magic is shrewd enough that Kawhi probably wouldn’t sniff $20m per season much less a max deal under that scenario. As it is, the Clips will want him badly enough to pay him, but if he comes back and confirms he doesn’t want to be LeBron’s , then the Clipppers will have full control. Even if his camp recants their stance on where he’ll play, he’ll still have put doubt in most of the league about whether he’s worth the risk. High risk and problem players usually don’t convert to max deals. Who knows if he’ll be healthy, what his mental state is, is Uncle Dennis going to hinder incessantly, etc. Not max money, and not the character guy that commands big endorsement deals.

If Kawhi doesn’t play this year, and play well, he’s screwed far worse than the Spurs will be.

The problem is that he isn't really killing his career. Every team in the league still wants him, they just won't trade anything of value for him because he is a one year rental. And next offseason, if he has an all-star level year, every team will be willing to give him the max. Sure, they may think he's a little bit of a head case, but everyone will think if they just give him everything he wants and shower his uncle with praise, that he will be fine. The only bridge he appears to have burned is the one with the Spurs organization. Maybe, if he keeps the at ude up, he'll have a hard time signing a contract when he's no longer an all star. But that's years away or at least a big injury away from now. Even from a marketing perspective, if he goes somewhere and wins a le, like LA, or even just competes in the latter stages of the playoffs with Lebron, he'll get plenty of love and most of the pundits and general fans will forgive and forget. The only franchise that is hurt is the Spurs because they lose a player of value for nothing or less than what he is worth.

It's sad, but that's the way it works, which is why Kawhi's people are doing what they are doing. They take a little heat right now, but people in general have short attention spans.

[offset formation]

Off Topic: David Robinson, Part 2 - https://www.expressnews.com/spurs-na...2-13075559.php

Speaking of players and teams, the situation with Kawhi Leonard is the biggest NBA mystery at this point. Did you try and intervene? I’m sure the Spurs are hoping to save the relationship.

Yeah, I’m still hoping. I think it’s frustrating from one point because we’ve had this great success. We’ve built on this for so many years, and it seems like a natural progression. You go from me to Tim Duncan, to Kawhi Leonard. It just seems like it made sense. But clearly, it doesn’t make sense to somebody. So, it is frustrating at a certain level, but at the same time, you can’t expect everybody to think in the same way. I remember when Tim Duncan was thinking about leaving San Antonio. It’s simple man, just come and have a conversation. Let’s sit down and talk. And we sat down and talked. I said, “Tim, why would you leave a situation where you have a championship level team; you’re going to win more championships, and go to a situation where you hope to put together a group that can win championships. That doesn’t make any sense.” And in this particular situation, you’re going to take less money now to do that? That doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I don’t understand the logic. It seems like a simple conversation would be able to bring some simple logic to the guy. And say, “Look man. Let’s think this through. Does it even make sense to anybody?” Why do you think everybody is wondering what the heck is going on? You have that kind of a conversation face-to-face, it seems like you can figure it out. But I think that’s why everyone is baffled because nothing makes sense about this whole scenario. Here is a franchise that spent 25 years and has a reputation for taking care of players. Not just the star players, I’m talking about the Cory Joseph’s, the Boban Marjanovic’s. The guys that have come in here and gotten contracts other places. Jonathon Simmons. We’ve nurtured these guys. We’ve haven’t been mad at them when they had other opportunities. They go and take those other opportunities. That’s their blessing. We send coaches out there who have other opportunities. I mean they have a long track record of actually supporting guys. Now, why would you fight that and turn the team into the enemy? That doesn’t make sense. So, a lot of things about this don’t make sense. It seems like simple conversations could really solve some of the problems. But to this day, I don’t hear him talking. I mean, who is saying all this stuff. If it’s you, speak up. If it’s you, step forward and be the man. You’re the face franchise. I don’t want to hear about anybody else in your party. I want to hear from you.

Boom. Be the ing man.

[Vic Petro]

The problem is that he isn't really killing his career. Every team in the league still wants him, they just won't trade anything of value for him because he is a one year rental. And next offseason, if he has an all-star level year, every team will be willing to give him the max. Sure, they may think he's a little bit of a head case, but everyone will think if they just give him everything he wants and shower his uncle with praise, that he will be fine. The only bridge he appears to have burned is the one with the Spurs organization. Maybe, if he keeps the at ude up, he'll have a hard time signing a contract when he's no longer an all star. But that's years away or at least a big injury away from now. Even from a marketing perspective, if he goes somewhere and wins a le, like LA, or even just competes in the latter stages of the playoffs with Lebron, he'll get plenty of love and most of the pundits and general fans will forgive and forget. The only franchise that is hurt is the Spurs because they lose a player of value for nothing or less than what he is worth.

It's sad, but that's the way it works, which is why Kawhi's people are doing what they are doing. They take a little heat right now, but people in general have short attention spans.

The question is if the Spurs try to force him to play. He has to play and play well. If he chooses not to show up or fake an injury to sit the year, he won’t get a max offer from anyone after being away from the game for 2 seasons.

[Dverde]

The question is if the Spurs try to force him to play. He has to play and play well. If he chooses not to show up or fake an injury to sit the year, he won’t get a max offer from anyone after being away from the game for 2 seasons.

You underestimate the league. He’ll probably still get a max deal. Cue Knicks, Magic, Hawks, Kings.

[FireMicoHalili]

I think the idea that SA cares about "leverage" is idiotic. They aren't trying to force anyone to trade for him. They are trying to keep Leonard. They don't care who is offering what or who threatens to walk away. Until they decide they definitely intend to trade him, they aren't going to seriously consider offers. That shouldn't be at least until tomorrow when Kawhi can formally reject an extension offer, but it could easily by months from now after having a chance to let things settle a bit more.

Appreciate the input, chief, thanks. I tried to think about the deadlines the front office may have had in mind and guessed the July 16 extension deadline and next year’s trade deadline would at least be key dates in their timeline. Leonard’s trade value - should he be dealt into the season - would probably be extremely low compared to what it is now unless he signs an extension. The Lakers tried to capitalize early on but were unsuccessful. Is there a chance they strike a deal with Leonard to extend him and then deal him away afterwards?

[dbestpro]

You underestimate the league. He’ll probably still get a max deal. Cue Knicks, Magic, Hawks, Kings.

Seems a lot of this was about getting a better shoe deal, which they have totally destroyed. To sell shoes you have to be a salesman. He just wants to sign the contract and get 20 mil a year. If anything, his antics will lower his value in merchandising. He really needs a good PR manager badly.

[sasaint]

You underestimate the league. He’ll probably still get a max deal. Cue Knicks, Magic, Hawks, Kings.

I tend to believe that is true. However, the difference between what he can sign for in SA and the max he can get after next season is still huge.

[Mr. Body]

Seems a lot of this was about getting a better shoe deal, which they have totally destroyed. To sell shoes you have to be a salesman. He just wants to sign the contract and get 20 mil a year. If anything, his antics will lower his value in merchandising. He really needs a good PR manager badly.

Yeah. He needs to be present, period. The fact that he's hidden away and can't even be bothered to speak right now is hurting him badly. Who does this?

[BackHome]

Yeah but the deal that no one is talking about is his group will only be making money off his old contract. Meaning the bulk of money that his agency "Chris Carter and Uncle Fester" will not be making money off endorsements and shoe deals because no one is going to touch him next year if he sits out.

So his group is under the gun to make money for staff and investors and attract new players but if he plays next year and tears his knee up or Zaza breaks his ankle then what? But if he sits out the Spurs will keep him out all season and like I said no one will sign any marketing deals with him so no money.

[BatManu20]

[Pavlov]

I cant believe spursfans celebrate pettyness. I guess i shouldnt be surprised.

The real best thing to do is to trade kawhi and get something of value.

You said a trade was already a done deal.

What happened?

[offset formation]

You said a trade was already a done deal.

What happened?

Plane crash?

[BatManu20]

I don’t buy for a second that the Spurs had a trade lined up with Toronto, but the Raps suddenly pulled out last minute because of health concerns. They would have had the same exact health concerns the entire time. As if they just forgot that he was injured? Or suddenly it mattered?

Pretty sure Spurs are taking their time because they want to try and repair the relationship before they do anything. Once you trade your franchise player, there’s no turning back. They want to make absolute sure it is the only avenue to take. Waiting until after Team USA minicamp make the most sense, unless Kawhi decides to no-show.

[ginobilized]

Not enough has been said on how Kawhi is killing his own career. By A, being willing to sit out, B saying LA or nothing, and C saying he doesn’t want to be a one year rental, Kawhi’s camp is ruining his career piece by piece. If we take what his camp is supposedly saying as truth (and at this point that’s all we have to go on), Kawhi is driving down his own value next summer. If the Spurs don’t trade him, he holds out, and the Spurs then let him walk next summer, he’ll have basically lost two full seasons of the prime of his career and he’ll only have 2 teams, rather than 30, bidding for his services.

Kawhi’s camp can be thankful for the Clippers because Magic is shrewd enough that Kawhi probably wouldn’t sniff $20m per season much less a max deal under that scenario. As it is, the Clips will want him badly enough to pay him, but if he comes back and confirms he doesn’t want to be LeBron’s , then the Clipppers will have full control. Even if his camp recants their stance on where he’ll play, he’ll still have put doubt in most of the league about whether he’s worth the risk. High risk and problem players usually don’t convert to max deals. Who knows if he’ll be healthy, what his mental state is, is Uncle Dennis going to hinder incessantly, etc. Not max money, and not the character guy that commands big endorsement deals.

If Kawhi doesn’t play this year, and play well, he’s screwed far worse than the Spurs will be.

Well said. In a world ruled by logic and practicality, this would be true. Not sure what dark world Kawhi is inhabiting.
What a waste this could turn out to be. Hopefully, PATFO can salvage something redemptive here. It’s starting to feel like
a David Lynch movie and Kawhi has gotten lost in the Black Lodge. He must be very confused.

The Spurs will be fine however this turns out. Kawhi? Not so sure.

[mo7888]

That sounds like the offers are better than the narrative the press has been pushing.

[DPG21920]

I cant believe spursfans celebrate pettyness. I guess i shouldnt be surprised.

The real best thing to do is to trade kawhi and get something of value.

Kawhi is the one under obligation to help find a palatable deal. He’s failing himself.

[spurs10]

Not enough has been said on how Kawhi is killing his own career. By A, being willing to sit out, B saying LA or nothing, and C saying he doesn’t want to be a one year rental, Kawhi’s camp is ruining his career piece by piece. If we take what his camp is supposedly saying as truth (and at this point that’s all we have to go on), Kawhi is driving down his own value next summer. If the Spurs don’t trade him, he holds out, and the Spurs then let him walk next summer, he’ll have basically lost two full seasons of the prime of his career and he’ll only have 2 teams, rather than 30, bidding for his services.

Kawhi’s camp can be thankful for the Clippers because Magic is shrewd enough that Kawhi probably wouldn’t sniff $20m per season much less a max deal under that scenario. As it is, the Clips will want him badly enough to pay him, but if he comes back and confirms he doesn’t want to be LeBron’s , then the Clipppers will have full control. Even if his camp recants their stance on where he’ll play, he’ll still have put doubt in most of the league about whether he’s worth the risk. High risk and problem players usually don’t convert to max deals. Who knows if he’ll be healthy, what his mental state is, is Uncle Dennis going to hinder incessantly, etc. Not max money, and not the character guy that commands big endorsement deals.

If Kawhi doesn’t play this year, and play well, he’s screwed far worse than the Spurs will be.

He certainly hasn't done his image any good, as the Spurs have a well earned reputation of erring on the side of caution with their players and treating them very well. I however don't believe he has any other option than to play well for us this year and in the process mend some fences and see if he can once again be offered the $219 million dollar max. Sitting out another season will get him suspended without pay and possibly sued. He owes us mighty big for the $19 million or more we paid for his rehab last season.

[Birn]

Not enough has been said on how Kawhi is killing his own career. By A, being willing to sit out, B saying LA or nothing, and C saying he doesn’t want to be a one year rental, Kawhi’s camp is ruining his career piece by piece. If we take what his camp is supposedly saying as truth (and at this point that’s all we have to go on), Kawhi is driving down his own value next summer. If the Spurs don’t trade him, he holds out, and the Spurs then let him walk next summer, he’ll have basically lost two full seasons of the prime of his career and he’ll only have 2 teams, rather than 30, bidding for his services.

Kawhi’s camp can be thankful for the Clippers because Magic is shrewd enough that Kawhi probably wouldn’t sniff $20m per season much less a max deal under that scenario. As it is, the Clips will want him badly enough to pay him, but if he comes back and confirms he doesn’t want to be LeBron’s , then the Clipppers will have full control. Even if his camp recants their stance on where he’ll play, he’ll still have put doubt in most of the league about whether he’s worth the risk. High risk and problem players usually don’t convert to max deals. Who knows if he’ll be healthy, what his mental state is, is Uncle Dennis going to hinder incessantly, etc. Not max money, and not the character guy that commands big endorsement deals.

If Kawhi doesn’t play this year, and play well, he’s screwed far worse than the Spurs will be.

This. Great post.

Kawhi and his group need to appreciate the fact that superstar players only have a window of 2-3 years where they remain in their peak prime. The exceptions would be the Jordans, Birds, Magics, Duncan, Robinson and Lebrons of the world. He's still a top 5 player in the league but without playing a full season and so much uncertainty about his injury, teams are going to be reluctant to pay him what he thinks he's worth. Including the Spurs. I believe the Spurs would like to keep him but before committing over $200 million they just want to see him work out and determine if he's truly healthy enough to perform at the elite level he was before last season. My hope is that when Pop and Kawhi get together this month for Team USA workouts he can finally show that he's healthy and ready to play at an elite level. If his performance can convince Pop that he's in great shape, maybe that's when Pop can extend the supermax. If Kawhi turns it down then we make whatever trade is available. Forget about leverage. The Spurs want to keep him and I don't believe they will trade him until they've offered the supermax. If he's not in great shape or able to play at elite level, then no extension offer should be made. I would just keep him and force him to play his way back into shape. If he leaves after next season, he leaves. At least we'll be in a position to potentially have enough cap space to sign 2 max players to go with Aldridge, Murray, Walker, and White.


The Spurs don't give two craps about leverage. Everyone in the media is obsessed about who has the leverage. The Spurs will ultimately do what they think is best for the franchise. Trading him now just to get other teams' scab players and late 1st round picks makes no sense. They would rather take the cap space his departure creates after next season so we can target and recruit the type of players we want.

Once elite level players like Kawhi get out of shape they become vulnerable to other nagging injuries that slow their progression back to elite conditioning - things like hamstring pulls and strains, calf strains, back strains, etc.

Kawhi should look at the example of Derrick Rose. He was the MVP in 2012 and 2 seasons later was just a s of himself because of nagging injuries after a long layoff. He's still a productive player but by no means a max player or franchise cornerstone. That's the reality that Kawhi and his group need to understand. He's setting himself up to regress his career badly. If that happens, it would be all his fault by not allowing the Spurs to control his injury management.

[spursistan]

I cant believe spursfans celebrate pettyness. I guess i shouldnt be surprised.

The real best thing to do is to trade kawhi and get something of value.

[BatManu20]

I don’t buy anything Sheridan says, but figured I’d post it