sco wrote:MrSparkle wrote:Red8911 wrote:That’s the only trade idea I liked lol. If Kawhi is really available, got to go after him for sure.
Unrestricted/player option in 2019! He'd be a 1-year rental for anybody if things don't work out.
But personally I think it's all hot air. Leonard's gonna end his career in SAS like every other Spur in the last 3 decades. They treat their players right, and it seems totally bogus to me that there'd be animosity on both sides because of an injury.
I would have said the same about Deng. Also, SA (although a gifted org) is a bunch of old dudes...how far are they going for next few years.
Well, Leonard (and Manu, Duncan, Parker, Robinson) are/were better than Deng ever was... but on that note, Spurs have a long history of holding onto their guys through to the end. 2 full decades now, they've retired a lot of players with class. I think Pop just has a really good idea of how to maximize post-prime/declined vets. Balances them really well with younger hustle role-players. At what point do you ignore the pattern? They've won chips with old guys like Brent Barry, Robert Horry, Finley, etc. playing roles, not to mention they're long-time core.
Ya never know, Spurs could decide to blow it up, but I don't see the point. Leonard is a top-5 player when healthy. He registered a 26 PER in his 9 games. He'll be back next year, and he's only 26. Tony Parker comes off the books soon. Pau and Green the next year. They'll have all the cap space they need to max Leonard and add another stud. As usual, there are some mystery pieces being developed and improving each year (Murray, Anderson). They're a top-5 seed even without their best player, and led by 2 post-prime big men in the era of the "dreaded big man."
They're the ultimate masters of managing a basketball team. PerioD. Until Pops calls the quits, I don't see him dumping Leonard unless his game declines to the point of no return, which is hard to fathom. They're being pretty cautious with the injury.