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The reported rift between the San Antonio Spurs and their franchise star, Kawhi Leonard, has been a complete mystery, showing no signs of clarity.
The organization has refuted any divide between them and their cornerstone player, while reports of disagreements, lack of trust, and frustration regarding his injury have made the 6-foot-7 forward distance himself from the team.
To ESPN reporters Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon, it is as simple as money talking at the end of the day, as they discussed how the Spurs could prove Leonard they want him to be part of the franchise for a long time coming.
via ESPN's The Hoop Collective:
Windhorst: “[The Spurs] can offer it [to Kawhi Leonard]. They put the $200 million [max extension] out there. Three months ago, I would have put down major money that that would have happened. So now, it’s not just whether Kawhi wants to extend his contract, it’s whether the Spurs want to offer him the $200 million.”McMahon: “If the answer there is that they don’t, then it could become whether they explore the market and see ‘OK, if we’re not going to offer [Kawhi] the super-max, do we trade him?’ That’s a couple decisions down the road, but we’re on one now where it’s not a crazy possibility.”
The Spurs will have to decide whether their former Finals MVP is worth a supermax offer, or if his recent injury history could make this a risky choice. But even if the Spurs offer it, the commitment goes both ways, and an unhappy Leonard could turn down this extension to play elsewhere if he chooses.
