How many picks would you trade for prime Kawhi?

[Ryoga Hibiki]

I mean, a guy like him could net a KD like haul. 3 UFRP + 3 swaps + young players.
The risk of losing *maybe* one or two picks, years later, is going to discourage nobody from doing under the table deals. Can you imagine if the Clippers actually won a title?
Either the NBA is serious or this will become the new normal.

[JujitsuFlip]

It this with or without circumventing the CBA? Lmaooooo

[meekrab]

Before or after he decided he doesn't really like basketball?

[Roscoe Sheed]

Before or after he decided he doesn't really like basketball?

what makes you think he doesn't like basketball- he has been genuinely injured. He has a degenerative knee condition and also tore an ACL in that knee- yet he has rehabbed it and managed it- still plays at a high level.

People act like he is faking an injury that he genuinely has.

[og15]

Before or after he decided he doesn't really like basketball?

This is what his coach said in an interview two weeks ago:

"I feel sorry for him cause all the work he puts in, we see it every day, and just what it takes to get on the floor on a consistent basis. It takes a lot for him to get out there, and so it's not like he's wanting to sit out and miss games. He puts the work in every single day, and the grind that he has to do to even get on the floor to play, it's just tough," said Lue.

"So a lot of times it's coming from us, it's coming from Lawrence Frank, the medical staff, like we got to protect him from himself because sometimes he wants to play back to backs, but we've seen the trend," revealed the Clippers coach.

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/tyronn-lue-shuts-down-media-narratives-about-kawhi-leonard-injuries-and-load-management

You can't get injured and come back to a high level that many times without wanting to play, and if you do, that's some dedication and resilience to being at your highest level for something you don't like. The other stuff related to Kawhi though, his injury proneness, diva stuff, everything is a secret, Uncle Dennis, that's a different story (no thanks on all that), but the idea that he doesn't want to play is not the reality that we've gotten from anyone on the inside of the situation with him as a Clipper, coaches or players.

[adubmac]

A prime Kawhi could dominate the game at both ends of the floor and has proven he can lead a team to a title.

[mastermixer]

Knowing what we know now, what Toronto gave to San Antonio for Kawhi is the perfect deal.

I’d give an established player on a team friendly contract, one first round draft pick and a young player.

You can’t sign Kawai to a long-term deal and you can’t mortgage your future on him because he simply doesn’t play enough games and he’s not capable of playing through whatever injury he has in the playoffs.

[EArl]

In this scenario would Kahwi end up playing only half of the season?

[ConSarnit]

If it’s the Kawhi coming off the Raptors title and we’re assuming he’s healthy: he’s worth as much as almost anyone in NBA history.

Top 3 player in the league who is 28 and has proven he can carry a team to a title as a #1. That’s worth more than any package anyone has been traded for.

Now, if his injuries are still in question that lowers his value but probably not by a lot given we wouldn’t know how his Clippers tenure would turn out injury-wise.

[LarsV8]

We saw Kawhi traded in his prime.

The price was DD, Jakob Potel and a protected first.

[HotelVitale]

Know knowing what we know now, what Toronto gave to San Antonio for Kawhi is the perfect deal. I’d give an established player on a team friendly contract, one first round draft pick and a young player. You can’t sign Kawai to a long-term deal and you can’t mortgage your future on him because he simply doesn’t play enough games and he’s not capable of playing through whatever injury he has in the playoffs.

We saw Kawhi traded in his prime. The price was DD, Jakob Potel and a protected first.

I think the premise here is that he's not coming as an expiring who's said he won't re-sign with your team. And before we knew how his injury history would play out.

Also think Kawhi was worth way more to the Raptors as a rental than what they gave up for him.

[NO-KG-AI]

Before or after he decided he doesn't really like basketball?

This is what his coach said in an interview two weeks ago:

"I feel sorry for him cause all the work he puts in, we see it every day, and just what it takes to get on the floor on a consistent basis. It takes a lot for him to get out there, and so it's not like he's wanting to sit out and miss games. He puts the work in every single day, and the grind that he has to do to even get on the floor to play, it's just tough," said Lue.

"So a lot of times it's coming from us, it's coming from Lawrence Frank, the medical staff, like we got to protect him from himself because sometimes he wants to play back to backs, but we've seen the trend," revealed the Clippers coach.

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/tyronn-lue-shuts-down-media-narratives-about-kawhi-leonard-injuries-and-load-management

You can't get injured and come back to a high level that many times without wanting to play, and if you do, that's some dedication and resilience to being at your highest level for something you don't like. The other stuff related to Kawhi though, his injury proneness, diva stuff, everything is a secret, Uncle Dennis, that's a different story (no thanks on all that), but the idea that he doesn't want to play is not the reality that we've gotten from anyone on the inside of the situation with him as Clipper, coaches or players.

I think it’s both. I think he has an absolute unreal work ethic, and is a master at improving his game and working on his body. One of those, if I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna be the best at it, and ultimately maximize his own value.

I also think if he can sit out, he will, and he doesn’t care that much if the team does or doesn’t win a title. I could be wrong, but it honestly makes the work he puts in even more impressive.

I also think he might feel differently if he never won a title or finals MVps before.

[brackdan70]

Th better question is how many shell companies would you use to launder below the board payments to him.
I’d give 5 firsts and 2 money laundering vehicles.

[The Servant]

Is my city LA?

Then I'd do 5.

Any other location?

Best I can do is DeRozan and 1 FRP for the rental.

[og15]

Before or after he decided he doesn't really like basketball?

This is what his coach said in an interview two weeks ago:

"I feel sorry for him cause all the work he puts in, we see it every day, and just what it takes to get on the floor on a consistent basis. It takes a lot for him to get out there, and so it's not like he's wanting to sit out and miss games. He puts the work in every single day, and the grind that he has to do to even get on the floor to play, it's just tough," said Lue.

"So a lot of times it's coming from us, it's coming from Lawrence Frank, the medical staff, like we got to protect him from himself because sometimes he wants to play back to backs, but we've seen the trend," revealed the Clippers coach.

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/off-the-court/tyronn-lue-shuts-down-media-narratives-about-kawhi-leonard-injuries-and-load-management

You can't get injured and come back to a high level that many times without wanting to play, and if you do, that's some dedication and resilience to being at your highest level for something you don't like. The other stuff related to Kawhi though, his injury proneness, diva stuff, everything is a secret, Uncle Dennis, that's a different story (no thanks on all that), but the idea that he doesn't want to play is not the reality that we've gotten from anyone on the inside of the situation with him as Clipper, coaches or players.

I think it’s both. I think he has an absolute unreal work ethic, and is a master at improving his game and working on his body. One of those, if I’m gonna do something, I’m gonna be the best at it, and ultimately maximize his own value.

I also think if he can sit out, he will, and he doesn’t care that much if the team does or doesn’t win a title. I could be wrong, but it honestly makes the work he puts in even more impressive.

I also think he might feel differently if he never won a title or finals MVps before.

Putting in that much work, not just to get back, but to get back to the highest level and to daily put in all that preparation time is pretty insane if he doesn't like playing basketball, especially when he was doing these things with guaranteed dollars already (and as we know now, even extra money). I mean, sure, we can think anything, but it's a very odd combination of mentalities.

There are people who do things at a high level just for the money, but if it becomes too uncomfortable they will pivot, but to have so many set backs and keep going, I don't know, doesn't check out too well, but crazier things have happened.

[Black Jack]

If it’s the Kawhi coming off the Raptors title and we’re assuming he’s healthy: he’s worth as much as almost anyone in NBA history.

Top 3 player in the league who is 28 and has proven he can carry a team to a title as a #1. That’s worth more than any package anyone has been traded for.

Now, if his injuries are still in question that lowers his value but probably not by a lot given we wouldn’t know how his Clippers tenure would turn out injury-wise.

No because his load mgmt and degenerative knee was known since SA.

Plenty of guys as good like LeBron, Kobe, Giannis, Durant etc. at 28 without the injury problems would have higher trade value.

[Dr Aki]

Is my city LA?

Then I'd do 5.

Any other location?

Best I can do is DeRozan and 1 FRP for the rental.

Lakers offered young players (Ingram, Ball, Kuzma etc...) and a 2019 first for Kawhi. The Lakers were also trying to clear cap space to have 2 max slots to get LeBron and George in free agency.

Spurs wanted multiple picks and swaps.

Lakers thought the Spurs weren't being serious for an oft injured expiring contract.

Kawhi went to Toronto. And then to the Clippers.

Thanks Spurs, you did the Lakers a favour.

[lambchop]

Prime Kawhi is probably 2017-2019 Kawhi. Probably 4 FRPs cause I think he can get us a ring in that span, injuries and all.

[Zeno]

Th better question is how many shell companies would you use to launder below the board payments to him.
I’d give 5 firsts and 2 money laundering vehicles.

You know, it is probably a fair deal but at the same time, if you traded all that would you be left too thin to properly cover up the transactions needed to keep him happy.

[HMFFL]

A prime Kawhi could dominate the game at both ends of the floor and has proven he can lead a team to a title.

Indeed.
He is a true superstar at both ends of the floor. I hate that his body has failed him.