Thanks to Bryan Colangelo’s Twitter activity and Markelle Fultz’s mysteriously disappearing jumpshot, Kawhi Leonard’s absence was only the third-strangest story of this past NBA season. Now that we’re in offseason mode, the microscope on Leonard will only intensify.
Kawhi has only one year remaining on his contract, and he barely saw the court this season. Leonard, a two-time All-NBA first-teamer, played in only nine games and sat out the entire second half of the season as he recovered from a quadriceps injury.
The team’s doctors cleared him to return to action, but Leonard chose to work with his own medical staff in New York. He was not with the Spurs during their playoff appearances.
Numerous reports have indicated Leonard’s relationship with the team is shaky at best, but don’t count out the two parties coming to an extension. BasketballInsiders’ Steve Kyler reports that Kawhi expects to “hammer out an extension” with San Antonio.
I had dinner with someone close to Kawhi last week – word is he is completely fine with the situation, expects to sit with the Spurs and hammer out an extension. There are clearly things to talk about, but his side isn’t looking for the door. https://t.co/Tib3IjeqCk
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) June 11, 2018
The Spurs are the only team that could offer Kawhi the gargantuan, $219 million super-max, and their financial positioning could be the difference-maker.
Leonard’s Past & Future
Leonard fell to No. 15 in the 2011 draft — which looked like a mistake at the time and looks egregious today. He blossomed into one of the league’s best defensive players and exponentially improved his jumpshot.
A two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, he was named an MVP finalist twice.
The Spurs surpassed expectations this season because LaMarcus Aldridge returned to vintage form. They are reportedly interested in luring LeBron James, and LeBron’s free-agency decision will likely play a role in Kawhi’s own contract situation.
Check out LeBron’s free agency odds, which are available via BetDSI Sportsbook, below.
Los Angeles Lakers +250
Philadelphia 76ers +300
Miami Heat +500
Houston Rockets +600
Cleveland Cavaliers +650
New York Knicks +800
Field +1000
San Antonio Spurs +2500
Golden State Warriors +4500
Boston Celtics +5000
Chicago Bulls +7500
Oklahoma City Thunder +7500
Washington Wizards +10000
