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The San Antonio Spurs seem to be willing to fight tooth-and-nail to keep their star forward Kawhi Leonard this summer, but unlike prior reports, they seem to be keeping their options open, in case a team offers the world and the heavens for his services.
By way of Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
“It’s really just a matter of what the Spurs would want in a package. I’ve heard from multiple NBA executives that San Antonio won’t settle for anything less than a grand-slam offer. If offers were underwhelming around the draft and the start of free agency, the Spurs might opt to let the saga drag into training camp, or even into the season. Leonard could always rekindle his relationship with the team, or return to the floor and increase his trade value.”
The Spurs would look to be swept of their feet by an offer, rather than getting just whatever a team is willing to surrender for Leonard.
If offers aren't up to snuff, there's a very real possibility the Spurs continue to try to make this relationship work, holding every bit of the power due to the nature of Leonard's contract.
A “grand-slam” of an offer would likely include a young star on the rise (likely in a rookie contract) and a high first-round pick, along with serviceable pieces to make up for Leonard's $44 million remaining in his contract.
The Spurs hold all the leverage, but they will have to act swiftly before deciding to offer him a supermax extension this summer, or not to.
