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Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs have a few issues to sort out this summer, and the big question is will both sides be able to come together. Head coach Gregg Popovich and Leonard met last week, but Peter Vecsey doesn't think it matters because Leonard has already emotionally checked out.
“Emotionally, Kawhi has checked out of the Spurs. He wants the Lakers, even though it means forfeiting $80 million. Everyone is shocked he’d give up that much money. But when it’s emotional, there’s no logic,” said the source. “He’s an artist. When artists know they’re getting jerked, they want out no matter what the cost. He feels the organization didn’t even try to wrap its arms around him. You don’t know anyone until you go through something difficult. Kawhi got to see people’s true colors.”
Leonard will be leaving a lot of money on the line if he does go to the Lakers, but right now, he really doesn't have much of a choice where he goes, unless he decides he is going to sit out next year.
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The Spurs could decide to trade him to a spot he prefers, but there's no incentive for them to do that. San Antonio is reportedly unlikely to trade Leonard to a Western Conference team, so he is going to have to wait probably at least a year before he can have his wish and go the Lakers. ‘
If the Spurs decide to trade Leonard, they'll need to accumulate as many assets as possible in order to remain competitive in the West.
