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The San Antonio Spurs' future revolves around a huge decision — to sign Kawhi Leonard to a max-level contract extension or trade him to a different team if the differences between the star and the organization are deemed irreconcilable.
According to a report by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright, the future is still unpredictable, but the front office isn't lacking confidence in Gregg Popovich mending the relationship with his estranged star, much like he did with LaMarcus Aldridge this past offseason, resulting in his best season as a Spur.
“Internally the Spurs are still optimistic Popovich can repair the relationship and find common ground with Leonard as he did with Aldridge the previous summer.”
What has made a max extension prompt so difficult to assess has been a myriad of complications around the organization, mainly the recent divorce of former controlling owner Peter Holt to his wife and new Spurs chairman and owner Julianna Hawn Holt.
While Leonard has been looked at as a player of great stability, recent circumstances have proved otherwise.
The Spurs believe there is an “ulterior motive” behind Leonard's camp to fray the relationship between the 26-year-old and the team, in hopes to land him an opportunity with a bigger market (Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia).
The root of the problem took place initially with the Spurs resisting a second opinion after a doctor in New York had a different diagnosis for Leonard' troublesome quad injury. His camp proceeded with the doctor's treatment option, leaving it completely out of the Spurs' hands. Since, the organization has sent two staffers to NYC to check on Leonard, who is rehabbing at the NBPA headquarters in Manhattan.
Even if the Spurs mended fences with his camp, the front office would have to ask ownership for approval before offering a five-year, $219 million max extension — one with no guarantee to be accepted by Leonard.
