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

[Dingle Barry]

What RC said was not encouraging tbh

Why/how?

[ElNono]

Leonard not playing next season will destroy his value and be completely transparent.

Maybe he's willing to give up the supermax but if doesn't play again next season that would raise a million red flags about him to the entire league.

Implicit with NBA players getting long term guaranteed contracts is that they don't pull bush league bull like holding out.

I dunno about all that. There's all sorts of dumbass GMs these days, not to mention cases like the nutjob that was Demarcus Cousins early on, or the case of midget Isiah Thomas.

It's moot though, there's nothing in it for the Spurs to hold on to him and then just let him walk, not to mention the media circus distractions, etc. They'll probably work early and often to find a decent trade package and ship his ass out to the biggest bidder.

[cutewizard]

Better Parker leaves and Manu returns for the final year

[Budkin]

What RC said was not encouraging tbh

Totally disagree. I feel completely the opposite.

[cutewizard]

Manu mentors Skywalker and Gasol can mentor Metu, hehehehehe

[spurs10]

It seems like R.C. was making it pretty clear that he was planning on keeping Kawhi as long as possible. Kawhi doesn't show up and play 100% he would be suspended, lose the super-max, and have lost two years of his prime. Sure someone will sign him, but I think the 'i won't show' option is a very costly option both monetarily and image-wise. I think it's clear what the Spurs plan is and if he's to be traded it ain't happening any time soon.

[spurs10]

Totally disagree. I feel completely the opposite.

Yes. of course it was encouraging.

[Dingle Barry]

I acknowledge Tony and Manu are both justifiably in the Spurs' pantheon, however, I have wanted to part ways with them for some time. If Kawhi is back, I suspect I will get my wish. So, I expect that issue to be resolved prior to pre-season play. That will go some way toward repairing the rift and creating a more comfortable team atmosphere. I honestly don't know about Kawhi and Pop. The LA radio guys got my attention with their take on the real reasons behind this situation. I also do not believe that he will ever want to be the face of the franchise. That means that PATFO will have to hope one of their newer, more "leadership" oriented guys is up to the task. In the meanwhile, it means that Patty will be retained. He will be as close to the old Manu/Tony spokesmen that we have. That probably also has a lot to do with why Pop likes Murray much more than I. He is certainly willing to be the face of the franchise leader and spokesman.

Anyhow, I see your point. It is a good one. It may take till then to resolve the situation.

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about with this spokesman stuff. This isn't diplomacy. The face of the franchise can be a quiet guy who just plays ball. Like Tim Duncan. I don't recall him being the team spokesman for anything. Ditto Manu or TP.

I actually had no idea any team used players as spokesmen.

Now, leadership is a different thing.

[duncan2150]

It seems like R.C. was making it pretty clear that he was planning on keeping Kawhi as long as possible. Kawhi doesn't show up and play 100% he would be suspended, lose the super-max, and have lost two years of his prime. Sure someone will sign him, but I think the 'i won't show' option is a very costly option both monetarily and image-wise. I think it's clear what the Spurs plan is and if he's to be traded it ain't happening any time soon.

agreed with that, and if kawhi plays next season is trade value will increase so it's better for us to be patient. His value could not be lower than today imo.

[spurs10]

agreed with that, and if kawhi plays next season is trade value will increase so it's better for us to be patient. His value could not be lower than today imo.

[polandprzem]

Totally disagree. I feel completely the opposite.

Hows that?

Looks like the meeting took place and nothing was solved and with his saying we wished not to be in this situation... Hows that good?


The only plus we can have from his interview is that they are trying to get things done and have Kawhi in a team. Thing is the cooperation is not there.

[r0drig0lac]

Yeah they came out after reports were saying that the Lakers and Clippers were being wary about dealing for Leonard after injuries concerns... and Kawhi's group tried to squash those concerns by saying that he's 100% healthy now.

this makes sense, and it can be proof that "Kawhi's team" is not really talking to Magic underneath the cloths (at least at this point)

[szkorhetz]

I honestly have no idea what you're talking about with this spokesman stuff. This isn't diplomacy. The face of the franchise can be a quiet guy who just plays ball. Like Tim Duncan. I don't recall him being the team spokesman for anything. Ditto Manu or TP.

I actually had no idea any team used players as spokesmen.

Now, leadership is a different thing.

Tim always stood up for his teammates, talked to them, cheered them, was talking with referees. Kl? Nothing?

[szkorhetz]

https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/sta...%3Ft%3D1717595

[Emperor]

Several hours old bro.

[baseline bum]

Maybe "Kawhi and his family are important to us" is likely a plea to Kawhi's mom to try and convince him to stay. They know Uncle bag can't be reasoned with, and they think his mom is the only other person that can change his mind...

It's just a way to justify not trading him right now while the Lakers superteam dream is alive and everyone is scared to offer anything decent. It's pretty funny.

[baseline bum]

The Spurs are the real people with power. The Spurs don't have to do anything. Kawhi can leave but he needs all NBA or else he loses even more money.

Making an All NBA team doesn't get him a cent more from another team.

[baseline bum]

I dunno about all that. There's all sorts of dumbass GMs these days, not to mention cases like the nutjob that was Demarcus Cousins early on, or the case of midget Isiah Thomas.

It's moot though, there's nothing in it for the Spurs to hold on to him and then just let him walk, not to mention the media circus distractions, etc. They'll probably work early and often to find a decent trade package and ship his ass out to the biggest bidder.

Time is on the Spurs side. If James goes to the Lakers he's making sure Magic is doing everything he can to win now, not to win in a year. No way James signs there and oks Magic holding a $30 slot for Kawhi open for a year when that could go to players right now. If he goes to Philly then Boston has to counter, especially to keep Kawhi out of Philly too. If he stays in Cleveland then oh well, we're right back to where we are now except now Kawhi would be taking an $80 million paycut to go to the Lakers to play with Paul George, not to play with Paul George and LeBron.

[DesignatedT]

Spurs prob would have taken Walker with one of the 12/13 picks if they had traded with LAC.

[NASpurs]

Spurs prob would have taken Walker with one of the 12/13 picks if they had traded with LAC.

There were reports about Spurs trying to move up to the Hornets pick just so they could get Walker. Amazing luck to still get who you want without needing to trade.

[Mr. Body]

Spurs prob would have taken Walker with one of the 12/13 picks if they had traded with LAC.

I'm not sure why he fell five to eight slots from where he had been projected. But it's the draft...

[Mugen]

Not sure why some people are making it seem like the Supermax is some sort of win for the front office if Kawhi accepts it....

That's Uncle Dennis securing one of the biggest contracts in NBA history for a guy that quit on his team after 9 games and bullied them around after doing so...

[Mugen]

, if Uncle Dennis secures a supermax for Kawhi this summer, guys should be lining up to hire this asap

[Mr. Body]

Not sure why some people are making it seem like the Supermax is some sort of win for the front office if Kawhi accepts it....

That's Uncle Dennis securing one of the biggest contracts in NBA history for a guy that quit on his team after 9 games and bullied them around after doing so...

Yeah, I'm still in the camp of trading him eventually. Kathy is a china doll. You don't pay those kinds of bucks for a sitting-out but who can't play through nicks and scratches.

[ernest787]

Not sure why some people are making it seem like the Supermax is some sort of win for the front office if Kawhi accepts it....

That's Uncle Dennis securing one of the biggest contracts in NBA history for a guy that quit on his team after 9 games and bullied them around after doing so...

It's a win, because he either gets in line and you have a top 5 player on your team, or he now has 0 leverage and in a year the Spurs can trade him wherever they want and will get a much better return than Ingram and Kuzma.