Despite recent reports of Kawhi Leonard being “irate” at coach Gregg Popovich and teammate Tony Parker for their comments, the San Antonio Spurs still remain “hopeful” that a reconciliation is still possible, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

“The Spurs haven't given up hope of reconciling with Leonard, league sources say, though it is unclear if the ballyhooed Gregg Popovich-Leonard summit in San Diego defused the tension,” wrote Lowe. “They still have the five-year, $219 super-max offer in the bag. They are projecting patience in preliminary talks.”

The Spurs are playing with house money, virtually knowing that they will have an entire season to make amends with their estranged star, knowing he's targeting a 2019 departure for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The money aspect is there, as Kawhi Leonard stands to make a substantial amount more by signing an extension with San Antonio than opting out and bolting for the Lakers. Yet this could prove a costly gamble for the Spurs, who are betting on Gregg Popovich pulling off another LaMarcus Aldridge-type of conversation to iron things out.

Word to the wise — it won't be that simple. Popovich's magic won't be a matter of playing time or usage rate, or even Leonard's role within the team, like it was with Aldridge, but rather more existential questions like his commitment to the organization and proving to him and his camp that the Spurs still value him as their cornerstone player.