That is according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, who claimed moved to dispel rumours that the two superstars would be keeping tabs on each other this summer with a view to teaming up in their next destination.
Leonard is reported to have requested a trade last Friday after becoming disillusioned with the Spurs’ treatment of his long-standing quadriceps injury.
In doing so, the 26-year-old appears ready to turn down the chance to sign a five-year $219m supermax extension with San Antonio – a signal of his discontent with the Western Conference giants.
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LeBron James is also expected to cause chaos across the league when he hits free agency before the end of June and the Los Angeles Lakers are considered red-hot favourites for his signature – the franchise also seen as most likely to make a move for Leonard.
However, speaking in conversation with Zach Lowe, NBA expert Brian Windhorst cooled expectations of seeing the pair lining up side-by-side any time soon.
“My feel is now that Kawhi and LeBron… first off, I don’t think there is much of a desire for Kawhi to play with LeBron,” he said.
“I don’t think they really have a relationship,” Lowe chipped in.
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Windhorst continued: “LeBron didn’t have much of a relationship with Kevin Love but they played together.
“But I think Kawhi is now not going to enter into LeBron’s situation – I think that [Kawhi] could drag out all summer.
“It could drag out to February [trade deadline].
“Right now I’m 51% LeBron to LA, regardless of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.”