As expected, the Spurs have been receiving offers for disgruntled Star Kawhi Leonard. And, as expected, they鈥檙e not yet keen on engaging in discussions on these offers. As far south as their relationship with the two-time All-Star has gone, they remain hopeful they can convince him to keep wearing silver and black. In part, the optimism is borne of their organizational stability and confidence in the way they run things; there鈥檚 a reason they鈥檙e viewed as the league鈥檚 gold standard. In larger measure, it鈥檚 fueled by the knowledge that dealing him will net them cents to the dollar.
To be sure, the Spurs aren鈥檛 without negotiating leverage. For one thing, Leonard is still under contract, and can, in fact, extend it to generate a windfall no other potential employer is able to provide. For another, the lines of communication continue to be open; he just met with head coach Gregg Popovich, and while he appears to have reiterated his preference to move to the Lakers, their talk underscored a mutual respect that enlivens the possibility of ties being repaired, if slowly.
It鈥檚 in this context that the Spurs have resolved to approach their most trying season in recent memory. They won鈥檛 be moved by offers that include assets slated to be acquired in today鈥檚 draft proceedings. Neither are they inclined to go out of their way to accommodate Leonard鈥檚 desire to be traded to the Lakers; it鈥檒l happen only if it鈥檚 in their best interest. And they won鈥檛 care a hoot even if he aims to force his way to La-La Land by telling other parties that he鈥檚 a one-year rental at best.
Nonetheless, the Spurs will not be lacking in suitors. Leonard is worth all the headaches, not to mention the financial calisthenics. This is how the Thunder viewed their acquisition of Paul George last year, and how everybody else will consider the prospective arrival of the twice-named Defensive Player of the Year. Which is to say Popovich and Company will take their time assessing their options. They鈥檒l exhaust all measures to retain him, and only when they can鈥檛 (and feel his value to them has diminished) will they pull the trigger on a swap.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since 大象传媒 introduced a Sports section in 1994.
