Despite the constant rumors of Kawhi Leonard's offseason destinations, an old Gregg Popovich rule might keep the 26-year-old from landing with his hometown team in Los Angeles.
According to a report by Mark Heisler of The Orange County Register, Popovich has been long against helping teams in their own conference in trade situations.
“It’s one of Popovich’s cardinal rules not to help Western Conference rivals, much less one with the tradition and resources of the Lakers,” wrote Heisler.
Popovich, who is usually quite meek in any transactions throughout The Association, was visibly irate by a Memphis Grizzlies trade that sent now-Spur Pau Gasol to the Lakers in 2008, setting them up for two championships in the next three years.
“What they did in Memphis is beyond comprehension,” Popovich said at the time. “…I just wish I had been on a trade committee that oversees NBA trades. I’d like to elect myself to that committee. I would have voted no to the L.A. trade.”
Leonard's fate is still very much determined by the team, and even if he tried to force a trade like Paul George and Carmelo Anthony did in the summer, let's remember that neither landed in their preferred destination (Lakers and Houston Rockets, respectively).
Even if the Spurs conceded to a trade (which is still not their usual approach), they would have the ultimate say on who they trade him to, and with several powerhouses forming in the West, it's very unlikely Popovich and his right-hand man R.C. Buford, would dare to add to the already-stiff competition they face in the West by sending an emissary to produce for them.
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