The San Antonio Spurs have managed to under-perform the entire regular season, which is unusual for an organization that has established a winning culture since head coach Gregg Popovich first took over as coach in 1997. The Spurs are currently fourth place in the Western Conference. That isn't a bad place to be, but it's far from what the Spurs are capable of.

Granted, the Spurs have missed their franchise star Kawhi Leonard for much of the regular season due to a string of injuries. Many people have speculated that Leonard would not return for the Spurs this season, but it appears that he actually is gearing up for a return somewhere down the line, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express News.

Pop said Kawhi Leonard is following the “protocol” to get back on the court: “He’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s working hard at it. He wants to get back, and when and if he feels like he is ready to go, he will be there.”

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The Spurs have managed pretty well without Leonard, but they aren't championship contenders without their star player. Spurs teammate Danny Green has also confirmed that Leonard will be returning for the Spurs soon, per RJ Marquez of KSAT News.

“We’re teammates, we’re family at the end of the day. We still keep in touch via text. What’s going on? How’s everything going? You know, ‘Rehabbing here, rehabbing there, feeling good.’

“He said he’ll be back, so we knew he was going to be back eventually at some point—playing-wise, not just being around.

“If he’s that confident mentally, then I know he’s going to get the work done to get it done physically.”

Whether Leonard returns at some point during the regular season or the postseason, he will surely be missed by a weakened Spurs team looking to win its sixth franchise title.