Woj: Eyeing Kawhi, Suns among teams who’ve talked with Spurs
Jul 17, 2018, 11:57 AM | Updated: 12:29 pm
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots over Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Phoenix Suns are among nine known teams that have talked with the San Antonio Spurs regarding trade interest in disgruntled All-Star Kawhi Leonard, league sources confirmed to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
That number is likely larger, but it’s nonetheless notable for a sluggishly-moving situation for the Spurs, who have not received impressive-enough offers for their swingman with one year left on his contract and a reported expectation he would like to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
Still, the bidding war among Boston, Philadelphia and the Lakers never materialized. The Los Angeles Clippers, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto and Washington are among teams who’ve talked with San Antonio, league sources said.
As examples, no Blazers package includes Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum, league sources said. Because Leonard is a player teams fear could be a one-year rental, many offers are modified.
So far, the Sixers have held out three players — Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Markelle Fultz — in talks. Boston hasn’t included five players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford. The Celtics and Sixers have offered pick-heavy packages that haven’t moved the Spurs, league sources said.
The Spurs have likewise been apprehensive in searching for a deal, reports Wojnarowski.
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Leonard played just nine games in 2017-18 while dealing with a quad injury. His slow recovery from it led to a rift between he and the team, but the Spurs could be retaining hope they can convince Leonard to return to play in San Antonio next season.
Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that Leonard is “seriously considering participation” in the Team USA mini-camp in Las Vegas next week that will be led by Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
The Suns’ Devin Booker is also among the 35 invited players who will attend the Team USA camp.
Leonard, a two-time All-Star and 2014 NBA Finals MVP, has a player option after the 2018-19 season. He averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in the 2016-17 season.
