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The San Antonio Spurs have already been linked to several high-profile candidates since their memorable NBA Finals blunder vs. the New York Knicks (they surrendered a 29-point lead in Game 4 and won only one game in the series despite holding a double-digit lead in every game).
One of those candidates is a two-time NBA champion forward who made a name for himself while competing with the Spurs in the early to late 2010s.
Kawhi Leonard, who will turn 35 next Monday, was recently linked to a blockbuster reunion trade with the Spurs eight years after departing the organization via a shocking deal to the Toronto Raptors.
“So who would Leonard bless the (Los Angeles) Clippers to talk trades with if the sides can't come to terms on a contract extension,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer reported Thursday.
“Sources close to the situation tell The Stein Line that, when it comes to potential trade talks, there are only two other teams that Leonard would consider signing an extension with: The two teams he played for before becoming a Clipper.”
“Toronto (Raptors) and San Antonio. It is not yet clear how the Spurs would receive the idea of a reunion with Leonard given the manner in which they are flourishing in the Victor Wembanyama Era … on top of the sides infamously messy parting in the summer of 2018.”
Given that Leonard didn’t leave the Spurs on good terms (there was tension between the two parties toward the end of his stint with San Antonio), there’s no guarantee that a shocking 2026 trade is a legitimate possibility.
Additionally, the Spurs would in all likelihood have to mortgage their bright future to add Leonard back to the fold (the Clippers may demand high upside young assets like Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell to complete a deal), which may cause San Antonio to second-guess partnering with Los Angeles this offseason
That said, it’s never wise to say never in the big leagues, meaning that a riveting Kawhi-Spurs concept shouldn't be ruled out just yet.
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