Update (June 15, 2018, 1:32 p.m. ET)
Leonard wants out of San Antonio. He wants to play in Los Angeles, preferably for the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard has Los Angeles — preferably the Lakers — at the center of his preferences for a trade destination, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2018
Sources: So far, Leonard has expressed nothing directly to Spurs about future. Lakers and Clippers interest Leonard — and both teams would move quickly to assemble packages to acquire Leonard. Spurs won't rush. Leonard and his camp had shown interest in $219M super max deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2018
Look for the Lakers to make a big play for Kawhi Leonard. LA has the pieces, and can feel comfortable that Leonard wants to be there long term.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) June 15, 2018
Another team to watch out for, according to Chris Mannix? The Sacramento Kings:
Another team to watch in the Kawhi sweepstakes: Sacramento. Kings have talked to teams about the No. 2 pick, per sources, and desperately want an established star.
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) June 15, 2018
Original Story Follows:
The drama surrounding San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has been in effect all season long, and it appears we’re reaching closure. Leonard wants out, ESPN’s Chris Haynes and Yahoo’s Shams Charania reported within seconds of one another:
Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 15, 2018
Kawhi Leonard wants out from the San Antonio Spurs, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2018
Jabari Young of the San Antonio Express-News was the first with this report:
And here we go… sources tell @ExpressNews that Kawhi Leonard wants to be traded from #Spurs … more to come…
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) June 15, 2018
Per Charania, Leonard has “grown uncomfortable” with the situation in San Antonio:
Leonard has grown uncomfortable with the Spurs and is ready for move, league sources tell Yahoo. https://t.co/uTux1nZYHV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2018
Leonard’s relationship with the Spurs has been on the rocks for some time now. Leonard appears to have met with Spurs great Tim Duncan and head coach Gregg Popovich on Thursday.
Leonard is under contract for 2018-19, so he would have to be traded to another team. He has a player option in his contract for 2019-2020.
Leonard would have been up for a supermax deal in San Antonio, but isn’t worried about missing out on the money, reports Haynes:
Kawhi Leonard isn't concerned about missing out on the supermax, sources tell ESPN. There's a feeling of betrayal that at this juncture, appears irreparable.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 15, 2018
Per Mannix, the Boston Celtics still have interest in Leonard:
As @wojespn reported, Boston's February inquiries didn't go anywhere. But Boston's interest in Kawhi hasn't changed. Plus: Danny Ainge vs. RC Buford in trade talks is a clash of the NBA titans. https://t.co/aqtgsWexhv
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) June 15, 2018
