Report: Spurs signaling they won't trade Kawhi; bond with Popovich still strong
The San Antonio Spurs may be hoping to resolve the drama surrounding their superstar so he can stick around.
Amid rumored tension and uncertainty surrounding Kawhi Leonard's future in San Antonio, an insider recently told The New York Times' Marc Stein the Spurs "continue to give off signals behind the scenes that they won't trade Leonard." Lending support to that notion is a report from The Washington Post's Tim Bontemps, whose sources indicate Leonard's relationship with head coach Gregg Popovich "remains strong."
The All-Star small forward has been away from the team for the majority of the season, having suited up for just nine games due to a troublesome right quad injury. San Antonio qualified for the playoffs without him but has so far fallen into a 0-2 hole against the Golden State Warriors.
While other injured stars such as the Warriors' Stephen Curry and the Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving have supported their teams from the bench or through motivational group texts, Leonard has been on the other side of the country rehabbing in New York. Pau Gasol told The Sac Bee's Ailene Voisin that Leonard occasionally texts some of his teammates while leaving others on "Read."
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Leonard was cleared by the Spurs medical staff in February but sought a second opinion. His status has been up in the air for months, as he said in March he was hoping to return soon but has not yet been cleared by his own medical staff. It was reported Sunday the two-time Defensive Player of the Year will miss the remainder of the postseason.
The circumstances, along with silence from Leonard and his camp, have led to rampant speculation about his future with the Spurs. The 2014 Finals MVP is owed $20 million next season and can become an unrestricted free agent in 2019. He's also eligible for a super-max contract extension this summer.
Other teams are getting ready to pounce should the supremely talented two-way player become available this offseason, with the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly among those preparing a trade package. But if Stein's source is correct, such efforts will be in vain as the Spurs work to mend their relationship with Leonard, just as Popovich did with LaMarcus Aldridge last summer.