From the looks of it, the relationship between the San Antonio Spurs and superstar Kawhi Leonard is headed for a breakup. However, it has yet to be known when they will part ways.
The disgruntled Leonard, who was touted to be the next face of the franchise with the retirement of Tim Duncan, has asked the Spurs for a trade, preferably to a Los Angeles team.
San Antonio has talked to several teams about a possible trade, but the Spurs reportedly want a king's ransom for Leonard. Clearly, the Spurs want players who can help strengthen the franchise once Leonard is gone.
The Lakers desperately want Leonard to pair him with superstar LeBron James, who signed a four-year deal worth about $154 million after he left the Cleveland Cavaliers as a free agent.
Spurs Want Members Of Lakers' Core
However, the Spurs' huge demand in exchange for Leonard has other teams, including the Lakers, thinking twice about dealing for the All-Star forward.
According to Lakers insider Larry Coon, the Spurs want almost all the Lakers' core from last season, including Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart. In addition, the Spurs want a two first-round picks and two pick swaps.
"From what I hear, they're asking a lot ... they're just saying, 'Give us everything,'" Coon told Spectrum SportsNet in an interview. If the Lakers give in to the Spurs' demand, they will be left with Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and new acquisitions James, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee.
The Spurs' astronomical demand could drive away teams interested in Leonard's services, and the issue between the two camps could be carried into the regular season. Stephen A. Smith of ESPN reports that Leonard could sit out the 2018-19 season if he isn't traded to the Lakers.
Smith also said that the Lakers are not willing to part ways with Kuzma, who surprised everyone when he emerged as a scoring threat for the team in his rookie year.
The Philadelphia 76ers could be another trade destination for Leonard, as they are willing to give up Dario Saric, Robert Covington, and a first-round pick to the Spurs.
Kawhi Now Interested With Clippers?
When the Lakers acquired James, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reported that Leonard was not enthusiastic about joining him in Los Angeles Lakers.
Instead, Charania tells The Herd with Colin Cowherd that Leonard has shifted his sights on the Clippers.
"And there's a belief around the league that if the Sixers came hard, that there could be a potential there for him potentially being there long-term," Charania said.
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