There is no shock that Kawhi Leonard hasn’t been traded, he’s too valuable to the San Antonio Spurs and there’s no way he’d end up with the Los Angeles Lakers while Gregg Popovich is running the show.
What is a shocking is that ESPN reports Leonard is strongly considering participation in the USA Basketball national team’s minicamp in Las Vegas next week. This is positive news for Spurs fans, this could be Pops last shot at talking to Leonard as he will be the team’s coach. At this time, as of yesterday, Leonard is eligible to sign a five-year, $221 million super-maximum contract extension, the problem is he wants out of San Antonio.
With all the trade rumors just circulating it’s becoming more clear that Leonard isn’t traded. The Spurs aren’t looking to give their best player away. Although trade rumors with the Portland Trailblazers and other teams have begun, per Bleacher Report, it doesn’t seem likely. At this point, the future of Leonard with the Spurs is up in the air. He doesn’t want to be a Spur and the team isn’t looking to trade him. Leonard more than anything wants to prove he is healthy and this minicamp will be his perfect opportunity. Either lose Leonard in free agency for nothing, trade him, or hope that Pop can persuade him to return for the long haul.