Kawhi Leonard: Stunning trade revelation made about where Spurs star wants to go
KAWHI LEONARD reportedly has his heart set on a move to the Los Angeles Lakers in the summer and will reject moves elsewhere.
Leonard is currently in New York undergoing rehab despite San Antonio’s insistence that he is fit to play.
It has led to reports of tension between Leonard and the organisation and suggestions they could look into trading him in the summer.
LeBron James and Paul George could be free agents in the summer meaning a lot of teams will be vying for some of the best players in the league.
A move for Leonard would require giving up at least one All-Star or two promising young talents.
The Boston Celtics have been mooted as a potential destination with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum possibly being used in the deal.
However, a source told Sporting News that the 26-year-old wants to join the Lakers and will use his impending free agency next year as leverage.
“I think they go in hard for Leonard once the season is over and once the dust settles in San Antonio,” a front-office executive told Sporting News.
“(Leonard) wants to go to LA. There probably won’t be public demands on that, but he has leverage.
“He is going to be a free agent (in 2019).
“He’s an LA guy and he can just let teams know he won’t re-sign next year with anyone but the Lakers.”
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However, the report does add the deal faces some difficulty with the Lakers hesitant on letting go of players such as Kyle Kuzma or Brandon Ingram for a player they could try and land in free agency a year later.
The Spurs are currently 2-0 down in their first round NBA playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.
Gregg Popovich will not take charge of San Antonio after his wife, Erin Popovich, passed away yesterday.
Spurs assistant coach Ettore Messina will step in for Game 3 and it is not know whether Popovich will return during the remainder of the series.