Kawhi Leonard anyone?

[Max Power]

I see he wants out of San Antonio, I think the Magic have a responsibility to at least explore this. He’s a star’s star, and the Spurs will in all likelihood send him East. I think a Gordon/Vuc/Fournier combo of some type could work. We’d start a team with Kawhi, our draft pick coming up, with a hopefully better Jonathan Issac and Simmons is a pretty good step forward on my opinion.


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[Shady Franchise]

I see he wants out of San Antonio, I think the Magic have a responsibility to at least explore this. He’s a star’s star, and the Spurs will in all likelihood send him East. I think a Gordon/Vuc/Fournier combo of some type could work. We’d start a team with Kawhi, our draft pick coming up, with a hopefully better Jonathan Issac and Simmons is a pretty good step forward on my opinion.


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Check out the trade idea thread. We're already talking about that there, unless you think it needs it's own thread? I'm no mod, but I was just letting you know we're already discussing...

[OrlandO]

I don't buy it.

[FFBlitzace]

I don't buy it.

Me neither. Whatever tension there may or may not be, I expect them to work it out and for him to stay there a long time.

[ralphie9898]

I don't buy it.

Me neither. Whatever tension there may or may not be, I expect them to work it out and for him to stay there a long time.

Yeah I highly doubt San Antonio is going to trade Kawhi. To me this is a non story. Even if it was I doubt Orlando has much that would entice San Antonio unless we completely gut our team i.e. our pick plus Gordon and some filler to make themath work.

[prizm]

No way kawhi leaves spurs... Gordon vooch Fournier... I'd even throw Isaac in there... but no way it happens

[ChosenSavior]

The story is false. His agent who happens to actually be his uncle debunked the rumor once Jalen Rose said it. The majority of Kawhi's frustration stems from his desire now to see independent medical advice and the Spurs team doctors not allowing it. Oh and the fact he's only played in 9 games this season as well because of the quad injury.

[Bensational]

I’m not saying he’s gone for sure, but I don’t get why anyone would say there’s no way he’s leaving. In recent years we’ve had Dwight ask to leave a team that recently went to the finals, LeBron bailing on a multi championship team, Durant bailing on a finals contending OKC team, Irving bailing on a multi finals and championship team, Paul George bailing on Indiana.

This is a new era of the NBA where players are notifying teams of their intentions before their contract is up, and teams are choosing to get the jump on moving players and getting something in return rather than losing them for nothing. Dwight, George, Irving were all traded before they had the chance to walk for nothing.

After all that if you still say there’s “no way” then I’ll say you’re naive and you’ve got your head in the sand. If you think it’s unlikely, then sure, that’s entirely valid. But if you want to talk in absolutes then you’re just ignoring what’s been happening in the league.

[ChosenSavior]

There definitely is the possibility of him leaving no doubt and he is certainly concerned with the roster moves the Spurs made just the past offseason with the awful Mills and Gasol contracts. Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA and anything can happen. It is very unlikely though. Kawhi and Pop have a great relationship with one another and Kawhi is still eligible for the super max extension next year. That would be a ton of money he would be leaving on the table if he decided to leave and go elsewhere.

The Spurs know how important it is to keep Kawhi and Kawhi has the upmost respect for the franchise he plays for and has gone on record on wanting to emulate what Tim Duncan did for San Antonio. Things could change but he isn't those three players you just mentioned from a mentality standpoint.

[Xatticus]

I’m not saying he’s gone for sure, but I don’t get why anyone would say there’s no way he’s leaving. In recent years we’ve had Dwight ask to leave a team that recently went to the finals, LeBron bailing on a multi championship team, Durant bailing on a finals contending OKC team, Irving bailing on a multi finals and championship team, Paul George bailing on Indiana.

This is a new era of the NBA where players are notifying teams of their intentions before their contract is up, and teams are choosing to get the jump on moving players and getting something in return rather than losing them for nothing. Dwight, George, Irving were all traded before they had the chance to walk for nothing.

After all that if you still say there’s “no way” then I’ll say you’re naive and you’ve got your head in the sand. If you think it’s unlikely, then sure, that’s entirely valid. But if you want to talk in absolutes then you’re just ignoring what’s been happening in the league.

I think it's a long shot at best. I believe Woj's report. I don't believe what Jalen Rose said. Keep in mind that Leonard would be losing the chance to sign a supermax extension by switching teams.

[Bensational]

Ohhhhh yeah, fair. I’d forgotten about the super max element. How long does a player have to have played for a team before they’re eligible?

[ChosenSavior]

Ohhhhh yeah, fair. I’d forgotten about the super max element. How long does a player have to have played for a team before they’re eligible?

Enter the Supermax. Stars who meet certain criteria (an All-NBA selection in the previous season or two of the previous three, an MVP award, defensive player of the year) are eligible for massive five-year deals.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/06/30/nba-free-agency-2017-supermax-clippers-rockets-chris-paul-russell-westbrook

Since Kawhi has been DPOY twice and received multiple All-NBA selections within the past two seasons, he qualifies for this super max deal. Texas like Florida has no state income taxes so Kawhi would really have to hate the Spurs to leave that much money on the table.

[prizm]

I’m not saying he’s gone for sure, but I don’t get why anyone would say there’s no way he’s leaving. In recent years we’ve had Dwight ask to leave a team that recently went to the finals, LeBron bailing on a multi championship team, Durant bailing on a finals contending OKC team, Irving bailing on a multi finals and championship team, Paul George bailing on Indiana.

This is a new era of the NBA where players are notifying teams of their intentions before their contract is up, and teams are choosing to get the jump on moving players and getting something in return rather than losing them for nothing. Dwight, George, Irving were all traded before they had the chance to walk for nothing.

After all that if you still say there’s “no way” then I’ll say you’re naive and you’ve got your head in the sand. If you think it’s unlikely, then sure, that’s entirely valid. But if you want to talk in absolutes then you’re just ignoring what’s been happening in the league.

I think I was the only one that said "no way" so I'll say it again... no way he leaves... and when his contract runs up and signs a new deal with the spurs I'll bump this thread and say that I told you there was no way he was leaving the spurs... but I wont stoop low and call someone naive and head in the sand just because they are so sure... but are you just salty about me saying Gordon has been a chucking scrub these past games?

[Bensational]

Ohhhhh yeah, fair. I’d forgotten about the super max element. How long does a player have to have played for a team before they’re eligible?

Enter the Supermax. Stars who meet certain criteria (an All-NBA selection in the previous season or two of the previous three, an MVP award, defensive player of the year) are eligible for massive five-year deals.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/06/30/nba-free-agency-2017-supermax-clippers-rockets-chris-paul-russell-westbrook

Since Kawhi has been DPOY twice and received multiple All-NBA selections within the past two seasons, he qualifies for this super max deal. Texas like Florida has no state income taxes so Kawhi would really have to hate the Spurs to leave that much money on the table.

Does that not carry over to any team that trades for him, like bird rights? I thought supermax might be limited to players who are still with their drafting team. But then I remember Harden just signed one and he wasn't from Houston.

But if he opts out of his deal at the end of next season, and somehow misses out on an All-NBA selection or MVP/DPOTY award, then he wouldn't be eligible for the super max anyway.

[Bensational]

I’m not saying he’s gone for sure, but I don’t get why anyone would say there’s no way he’s leaving. In recent years we’ve had Dwight ask to leave a team that recently went to the finals, LeBron bailing on a multi championship team, Durant bailing on a finals contending OKC team, Irving bailing on a multi finals and championship team, Paul George bailing on Indiana.

This is a new era of the NBA where players are notifying teams of their intentions before their contract is up, and teams are choosing to get the jump on moving players and getting something in return rather than losing them for nothing. Dwight, George, Irving were all traded before they had the chance to walk for nothing.

After all that if you still say there’s “no way” then I’ll say you’re naive and you’ve got your head in the sand. If you think it’s unlikely, then sure, that’s entirely valid. But if you want to talk in absolutes then you’re just ignoring what’s been happening in the league.

I think I was the only one that said "no way" so I'll say it again... no way he leaves... and when his contract runs up and signs a new deal with the spurs I'll bump this thread and say that I told you there was no way he was leaving the spurs... but I wont stoop low and call someone naive and head in the sand just because they are so sure... but are you just salty about me saying Gordon has been a chucking scrub these past games?

You're not the only one that's said he won't be traded in an almost absolute fashion, so it wasn't directed at you specifically even though I used the words you used. But, fine then, you're being naive about the potential of Kawhi ever leaving the Spurs. If you'd said it's highly unlikely, or anything like that, then sure I could believe that. But to speak about it as if you've got some kind of inside knowledge is just absurd, because you don't.

[Xatticus]

Ohhhhh yeah, fair. I’d forgotten about the super max element. How long does a player have to have played for a team before they’re eligible?

Enter the Supermax. Stars who meet certain criteria (an All-NBA selection in the previous season or two of the previous three, an MVP award, defensive player of the year) are eligible for massive five-year deals.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/06/30/nba-free-agency-2017-supermax-clippers-rockets-chris-paul-russell-westbrook

Since Kawhi has been DPOY twice and received multiple All-NBA selections within the past two seasons, he qualifies for this super max deal. Texas like Florida has no state income taxes so Kawhi would really have to hate the Spurs to leave that much money on the table.

Does that not carry over to any team that trades for him, like bird rights? I thought supermax might be limited to players who are still with their drafting team. But then I remember Harden just signed one and he wasn't from Houston.

But if he opts out of his deal at the end of next season, and somehow misses out on an All-NBA selection or MVP/DPOTY award, then he wouldn't be eligible for the super max anyway.

Only if they are traded while under their rookie contract. A player has to be entering their eighth, ninth, or tenth seasons in the league as well, I believe.

[ChosenSavior]

Ohhhhh yeah, fair. I’d forgotten about the super max element. How long does a player have to have played for a team before they’re eligible?

Enter the Supermax. Stars who meet certain criteria (an All-NBA selection in the previous season or two of the previous three, an MVP award, defensive player of the year) are eligible for massive five-year deals.

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/06/30/nba-free-agency-2017-supermax-clippers-rockets-chris-paul-russell-westbrook

Since Kawhi has been DPOY twice and received multiple All-NBA selections within the past two seasons, he qualifies for this super max deal. Texas like Florida has no state income taxes so Kawhi would really have to hate the Spurs to leave that much money on the table.

Does that not carry over to any team that trades for him, like bird rights? I thought supermax might be limited to players who are still with their drafting team. But then I remember Harden just signed one and he wasn't from Houston.

But if he opts out of his deal at the end of next season, and somehow misses out on an All-NBA selection or MVP/DPOTY award, then he wouldn't be eligible for the super max anyway.

Eligibility for Designated Veteran contracts (Super max)

There are three requirements for a player to be eligible for a Designated Veteran contract or extension:

Quality/Performance: A player must have been named to an All-NBA team or Defensive Player of the Year in either the most recent season or two of the three most recent seasons. Alternatively, they could have won the league MVP in any one of the prior three seasons. This language also works because Designated Veteran contracts can only be signed in the off-season, so the preceding season definitions are clear.

Experience: For a Designated Veteran contract, the player must have completed eight or nine years in the NBA. For a Designated Veteran extension, the player must have seven or eight Years of Service when the extension is executed.

Same Team: The player must either have spent those Years of Service on the team that he signed his first contract with or joined the current/offering team during the first four years he was under contract and that player only changed teams via trade during those first four years.

That's why Harden was eligible for a super max extension. A team could trade for Kawhi and obtain his rights to offer him this type of deal. Don't see why Kawhi would opt-out from the Spurs though when he is eligible for the super max as soon as next season before his contract ends. It is safe to say that part of his frustration is from this because he has been barely able to play this season.

The Spurs could certainly be cautious on doing this now since his quad injury has not been getting better but I suspect the Spurs are being overly cautious with him because they are thinking long term when it comes to Kawhi's health and making sure he comes back 100%. They get his health right, then I don't seem them balking on offering him the extension next season.

[prizm]

I’m not saying he’s gone for sure, but I don’t get why anyone would say there’s no way he’s leaving. In recent years we’ve had Dwight ask to leave a team that recently went to the finals, LeBron bailing on a multi championship team, Durant bailing on a finals contending OKC team, Irving bailing on a multi finals and championship team, Paul George bailing on Indiana.

This is a new era of the NBA where players are notifying teams of their intentions before their contract is up, and teams are choosing to get the jump on moving players and getting something in return rather than losing them for nothing. Dwight, George, Irving were all traded before they had the chance to walk for nothing.

After all that if you still say there’s “no way” then I’ll say you’re naive and you’ve got your head in the sand. If you think it’s unlikely, then sure, that’s entirely valid. But if you want to talk in absolutes then you’re just ignoring what’s been happening in the league.

I think I was the only one that said "no way" so I'll say it again... no way he leaves... and when his contract runs up and signs a new deal with the spurs I'll bump this thread and say that I told you there was no way he was leaving the spurs... but I wont stoop low and call someone naive and head in the sand just because they are so sure... but are you just salty about me saying Gordon has been a chucking scrub these past games?

You're not the only one that's said he won't be traded in an almost absolute fashion, so it wasn't directed at you specifically even though I used the words you used. But, fine then, you're being naive about the potential of Kawhi ever leaving the Spurs. If you'd said it's highly unlikely, or anything like that, then sure I could believe that. But to speak about it as if you've got some kind of inside knowledge is just absurd, because you don't.

I don't see anyone else that was so sure like me so there's no need to hide anything... don't even know why your trying to be subtle about it...

If you want to call me naive then it works both ways here...

You're right I don't have any inside knowledge but if I'm being naive because of that and thinking that he won't leave the spurs... I can also say you're being naive for eating up and following these NBA trends and not having in mind that a player can also be loyal and finish his career with his/her only team...

Like I said it works both ways

[Bensational]

I think I was the only one that said "no way" so I'll say it again... no way he leaves... and when his contract runs up and signs a new deal with the spurs I'll bump this thread and say that I told you there was no way he was leaving the spurs... but I wont stoop low and call someone naive and head in the sand just because they are so sure... but are you just salty about me saying Gordon has been a chucking scrub these past games?

You're not the only one that's said he won't be traded in an almost absolute fashion, so it wasn't directed at you specifically even though I used the words you used. But, fine then, you're being naive about the potential of Kawhi ever leaving the Spurs. If you'd said it's highly unlikely, or anything like that, then sure I could believe that. But to speak about it as if you've got some kind of inside knowledge is just absurd, because you don't.

I don't see anyone else that was so sure like me so there's no need to hide anything... don't even know why your trying to be subtle about it...

If you want to call me naive then it works both ways here...

You're right I don't have any inside knowledge but if I'm being naive because of that and thinking that he won't leave the spurs... I can also say you're being naive for eating up and following these NBA trends and not having in mind that a player can also be loyal and finish his career with his/her only team...

Like I said it works both ways

Ugh.

I never said he was a certainty to leave. That’s the difference, I don’t talk in absolutes or foregone conclusions.

But sure, there’s a possibility he could stay with his team. I mean, with Kobe, Dirk and Duncan being the only 3 players I can think of who have played out their entire career with the team that drafted them in the past 20 years, vs the 5 or so players I listed who have bailed on top flight teams in the past 5 years, if I was forced to bet on one outcome based off trends I know which one I’d be picking.

[Skybox]

The same mysterious traits that everybody loves about Kawhi (quiet, humble, etc)...make me think it's possible that he could be insanely stubborn...as in, once he sets his mind to something-it's not changing...I, like you, don't really know what's up with this situation, but he's not a typical player, so you never know. I assume Pop will sort it out quick, but you never know...Obviously, they don't take a call that doesn't begin with AG.