Upcoming Match-ups

Bye Bye Kawhi? Odds the Spurs Trade Leonard and Likely Trade Partners

Ryan Murphy

by Ryan Murphy in NBA Basketball

Updated Mar 29, 2020 · 3:04 PM PDT

Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs
Will Kawhi Leonard last a full season in Toronto? Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire
  • Kawhi Leonard has been conspicuously absent from the Spurs’ first round playoff series. Will he return in time to save San Antonio’s season?
  • Has Leonard played his final game as a Spur?
  • Will San Antonio be forced to trade him in the offseason?

Updated April 25

San Antonio’s season may be done, but speculation about Kawhi Leonard is just beginning. The two-time All-Star was conspicuous by his absence during the Spurs’ first round loss to the Warriors, leading many to wonder whether he’s played his final game for the franchise.

Sportsbooks have sett odds on which team Leonard will suit up for in game one of the 2018-19 NBA season. The online sportsbook has given the edge to the Spurs at -170, but the 76ers, Clippers, and Lakers are all viable options given their combination of tradable assets and ability to sign The Claw to a max-level extension.

Team Odds
San Antonio Spurs -170
Philadelphia 76ers +400
Los Angeles Clippers +700
Los Angeles Lakers +700
Boston Celtics +1100
Cleveland Cavaliers +1200
New York Knicks +1400
Charlotte Hornets +1500
Milwaukee Bucks +1500

ARCHIVED POST


April 18

Winston Churchill once famously described Russia as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” It’s an apt description for the snow-swept nation and it applies just as perfectly to Kawhi Leonard, the 26-year-old forward whose actions have been befuddling the Spurs all season long.

Leonard took leave from San Antonio in late March to seek outside medical counsel on his injured right quad, and no one – not even head coach Gregg Popovich – seems to know when he’ll return. His absence is especially mysterious since the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has been cleared to play by the Spurs since February 21st.

The soft-spoken Leonard has always been laconic, but lately he’s cut off all communication with the Spurs organization, leaving many to speculate that he’s played his final game for the franchise.

We’ve been following Leonard’s bizarre saga since the very beginning and have set odds on whether he’ll be traded, and if so, to whom.

Odds Kawhi Leonard Will be Traded this Offseason: 3/2

This isn’t the first time that the Spurs have had to deal with a disgruntled All-Star. LaMarcus Aldridge asked to be traded last summer after growing dissatisfied with his role in the team’s offense.

San Antonio could have found plenty of takers for the 6’11” center, but instead Popovich sat down with him and had an honest heart to heart.

San Antonio could have found plenty of takers for the 6’11” center, but instead Popovich sat down with him and had an honest heart to heart. They addressed their differences like grown men and collectively came to an understanding. Aldridge has since returned to form and is noticeably happier on and off the court.

YouTube video

Popovich learned an important lesson from that experience and there’s an excellent chance he’ll sit down with Leonard and attempt to hash things out once the Spurs’ season comes to an end. The two men have built up a great deal mutual respect during their seven years together, and if Leonard will listen to anyone, it’s Pop.

Odds on Where Kawhi Will Start the 2018-19 Season

Team Odds
San Antonio Spurs 2/3
Los Angeles Clippers 6/1
Los Angeles Lakers 9/1
Philadelphia 76ers 15/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 25/1
Boston Celtics 30/1
FIELD 50/1

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs may manage to get draft picks and some promising young prospects in exchange for Leonard, but they’ll never get equal value. The understand better than anyone how transformative Kawhi can be when he’s healthy and motivated and will put on a full court press to keep him in San Antonio.

Los Angeles Clippers

Leonard grew up outside of Los Angeles, and those closest to him insist he wants to return to Southern California at some point in his career. The Clippers could make that happen this summer by offering up one – or both – of their first-round draft picks along with an additional piece for salary cap purposes.

In many ways, it’s a win-win scenario for both parties. Leonard would get a fresh start in his home state and the Spurs would get to start their rebuild in earnest.

In many ways, it’s a win-win scenario for both parties. Leonard would get a fresh start in his home state and the Spurs would get to start their rebuild in earnest. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol are all well past their prime and it’s in San Antonio’s best interests to move on from them sooner rather than later.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers offer much of the same appeal to Leonard as the Clippers, but have significantly more cap space. LA can absorb a pair of max free agents and surround them with intriguing young pieces like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart. Former Lakers coach Byron Scott believes it’s virtually a done deal and recently shared his insights on ESPN’s SportsNation.

YouTube video

Philadelphia 76ers

Like the Lakers, the 76ers also have a boatload of cap space this summer, and could easily absorb Leonard’s contract and sign him to a max-level extension. The Sixers would likely have to surrender their two first round picks and toss in a young prospect like Markelle Fultz to sweeten the deal, but it would be worth it to add Leonard to the mix.

Cleveland Cavaliers

It’s admittedly a longshot, but the Cavs may pursue Leonard in an attempt to convince LeBron James to stay in Cleveland. The Cavs have Brooklyn’s first round pick to offer and would toss in Tristan Thompson or Larry Nance Jr. in a heartbeat to land a player of Leonard’s calibre.

Boston Celtics

The Spurs may not be able to say no if Trader Danny offers a package centered around hotshot rookie Jayson Tatum and a cache of Boston’s many draft picks. Just don’t expect this deal to get the Tommy Heinsohn seal of approval.

Visit our 2017-18 NBA Championship Odds Tracker to see the impact Leonard’s absence has had on the Spurs odds this season.

Author Image