Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs Could Be Headed for Divorce

• Kawhi Leonard has fallen out of favor in San Antonio after missing most of the season with a lingering quad injury
• Will Leonard return in time for the playoffs?
• Should the Spurs trade him in the offseason?

Has Kawhi Leonard played his final game for the Spurs? The two-time All-Star hasn’t suited up for San Antonio since January 13th, and was recently at the center of a fiery players-only meeting that addressed his prolonged absence and questioned his loyalty to the team. The meeting has been described by league sources as “tense” and “emotional” and has led to speculation around the league that Leonard’s time with the Spurs may be coming to an end.

We’ve sorted through the rumors and scuttlebutt and have created fresh odds for Leonard and his future with the franchise.

Odds Kawhi Leonard returns before the end of the 2017-18 regular season: 12/1

Leonard has been suspiciously mum during his extended absence, but Manu Ginobili sounded quite definitive yesterday when he told reporters that Kawhi is “not coming back.” The veteran guard explained that the team has already moved on from Leonard mentally and emotionally and have given up hope that he’ll be back in time to save their season.

“We fell for it a week ago again,” Ginobili explained. “I guess you guys made us fall for it. But we have to think that he’s not coming back, that we are who we are, and that we got to fight without him.”

Odds the Spurs make the playoffs: 1/3

The Spurs should be able to sneak into the postseason with or without Leonard’s help, but it won’t be easy. San Antonio, Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Minnesota, Utah, Denver, and LA are separated by four games or less in the hunt for the final five playoff spots, and consecutive losses could spell disaster. Making matters worse, the Spurs will face eight plus .500 teams in their remaining ten games and will likely have to win half of them to reach the postseason.

NBA fans should know by now not to bet against Gregg Popovich and his string of 20 consecutive playoff appearances.

It’s not exactly a slam dunk, but the Spurs are peaking at the right time and, outside of Leonard, are finally healthy. NBA fans should know by now not to bet against Gregg Popovich and his string of 20 consecutive playoff appearances.

Kawhi Leonard Career Stats

Odds Kawhi Leonard returns during the playoffs: 15/1

Say what you will about Popovich and his prickly persona, but the long-time Spurs coach is a man of great principle. He said back on February 21st that he was weary of reintroducing Leonard too late in the season, and it’s highly unlikely he’ll waver now. At this point it feels like Pops would much rather lose with Kyle Anderson and Brandon Paul than win with Leonard.

Odds the Spurs trade Kawhi Leonard during the offseason: 7/1

The Spurs still have Leonard under contract for one more season, but they’d be wise to unload him now if they sense that he already has one foot out the door. The 26-year-old would garner a cache of draft picks and young assets and would help San Antonio jumpstart a long overdue rebuilding process. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Pau Gasol are all on the brink of retirement and the Spurs would be wise to take their team in a new and more youthful direction before it’s too late.

Odds Kawhi Leonard refuses to report to training camp in 2018-19: 20/1

Anything is possible at this point, but it seems unlikely Leonard will stay away from camp if he’s fully healthy. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has not demanded a trade and has not publicly expressed his pleasure with the franchise. Pencil him in… for now.