Widely speculated to be on the trading block during the latter half of the 2017-18 season due to disagreements with the San Antonio Spurs front office on when he should come back from an injury, Kawhi Leonard finally put the rumors to rest more than a month ago by formally demanding a trade.
Sure, it was through his “representatives” but that's a given considering the soft-spoken nature of the 6-foot-8 defensive dynamo that allows his on-court performances to do the talking.
To make matters more complicated, the disgruntled forward apparently insists on only being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and warns would-be suitors that he will leave for L.A. after the year. And while the Spurs remain active in the trade front fielding calls from a handful of teams that include the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, the Lakers remain high on their proverbial speed dial — although talks have stalled due to the absurd return value the Spurs seek, centering on prized rookie Kyle Kuzma whom the Lakers consider as “untouchable.”
But the “Buyer Beware” ultimatum by Leonard's camp doesn't scare some teams. According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, some teams are perfectly willing to risk trading for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Nearly half a dozen GMs told Bleacher Report during the first weekend of the Las Vegas Summer League that they would trade for Leonard even without a guarantee he'll stay beyond next season.
And there is a precedent for it: Paul George made a similar threat back with the Indiana Pacers but was shipped to the Oklahoma City Thunder instead and ended up re-signing with them. Perhaps, Leonard may do the same.
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