The San Antonio Spurs have made it clear what the price is to aquire star forward Kawhi Leonard. Apparently it’s a steep price they are wanting from the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to ESPN.com writer Larry Coon, while appearing on Spectrum Sportsnet, “From what I hear they’re asking a lot. My sources are saying Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, two firsts and two pick swaps. They’re just saying give us everything.”
This created a lot of buzz throughout the entire NBA realm. Everybody knows that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio and is entering the last year of his contract. Asking for three young Laker players and two first round picks and two pick swaps is more than any team would give up in this situation. The Spurs know that they have to trade Leonard sometime before next years deadline, or he will walk away from the organization and they get nothing in return.
We haven’t heard any other news yet on potential trades for the Spurs star since Larry Coons discussed this on Spectrum Sportsnet yesterday. We are hearing across the NBA that the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics are in the mix as potential trade destinations for Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has made it known around the league that he prefers to play in Los Angeles. This puts the Spurs in a difficult situation finding a trade partner who wants to risk giving up assets for a star player (Leonard) who may not want to stay with any team other than Los Angeles beyond next season.
Leonard has supposedly contacted Lebron James before free agency began on July 1st and told him that he wants to play with him in Los Angeles. An article by Jordan Schultz stated that an NBA source told Yahoo Sports that “Kawhi Leonard reached out to Lebron James, informing the 33-year-old superstar that he wants to play alongside him.” Lebron James made his decision on the first day of free agency to join the Los Angeles Lakers on a four year deal. This could be the piece of the puzzle for the Lakers in getting Leonard either via trade or sign him outright after next season.
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