Spurs open to trading Kawhi to Lakers

[Luigi]

This doesn't mean anything. All it states is the Spurs haven't ruled out trading Kawhi anywhere at this point.

Very vague and what everyone has basically known.

Not news.

People don't actually read the articles. They see the headline and make up the rest.

I was about to make this thread, but I read the article and decided not to. It's still an interesting place to discuss a trade to the Lakers.

[Pythagoras]

This confirms what I expected. The Celtics can put together the best package for Kawhi, but Ainge is cold-blooded when it comes to negotiating, and he is under 0 pressure to get a deal done.

The Sixers package isn’t nearly as enticing as everybody believes.

The Lakers can legitimately offer the best, realistic package. The most I’d offer Ingram and Kuzma, but they’d HAVE to take Deng. No extra picks.

That’s fair for everyone.

[FNQ]

Wow way to show your hand. Now lakers can just stand pat and a force a lowballed offer

Not ruling it out is showing your hand?

There shouldnt be a single team the Spurs are not listening to.

[levon]

The WT summation is not the same as the article. Clickbait. They (reporters) are leaving it open that the spurs are now open by saying they have not ruled out anyone. That is not the same thing as saying they are open to it, lol. ESPN is a trip.

The Spurs having not ruled any team out means the Lakers are not being "shut out" as was being reported before the draft. The "shut out" report was false.

[woosah]

Both sides win with this. Here are the factors:

1. Leonard puts pressure on by saying he won't resign with anyone but the Lakers, so it's smaller one year rental offers from elsewhere else. The Lakers' offer is probably bigger.
2. Lakers are motivated to get Leonard quickly. If they get him before Lebron and P. George make their decisions, they could net all 3. This makes them vulnerable enough to include more than just 1 of their good assets.
3. Spurs can hold out. But if the Spurs hold out too long, they will probably get a half hearted year out of Leonard, where he looks after his own interests anyway (rehab, knocking off the rust, not playing for the team). They can hold out a few more weeks and ruin the Lakers' free agency this summer if they want. This gives them some leverage. And the sign and trade contract is much bigger. This is their other form of leverage.

In this setup, I think it's clear that the best case for all parties is for the Lakers to make a legit offer (2 of their young stars + 1 pick instead of trying to hold onto either Kuzma or Ingram) and for the Spurs to take it.

Everyone loses if it doesn't work out: Lakers will strike out this summer. Spurs will get a deflated Leonard for a year. And Leonard will lose another year.

Everyone wins if it does work out: Lakers get star power and try to contend. Spurs get assets. Leonard gets to play where he wants.

PG has a special ready to air on ESPN. His decision is made. I strongly doubt Lebron is waiting on this either. I actually think these leaks are because LA does already know the two are coming and want to solidify the super team. The reports that PG is wavering and they don't know about Lebron are to make the spurs think it's not happening so they may be more open to trading since they would likely not be open to creating it once it comes out. Jmo though.
Also, S&T would probably not be the way LA would want to go because the team who gets a player via S&T would be hardcapped and they may be over the amount if they get PG and LBJ and somehow Kahwi.

[FNQ]

It was bound to happen. Teams are not gonna give up much for Leonard knowing he'll bolt to LA next season.

Assuming LA has the caproom and/or the team that has Kawhi is willing

[r0drig0lac]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/250383/Spurs-Open-To-Trading-Kawhi-Leonard-To-Lakers

Spurs finally came to their senses.

yes, this is not happening

[Spintown]

Wow way to show your hand. Now lakers can just stand pat and a force a lowballed offer

Nah, if they trade with LA, they will be paying a decent price. They don't have to trade him to the Lakers.

We will see what happens. But I doubt the spurs get what they want now and don’t think the lakers will throw the farm.

[d00lttle]

Somebody post the "It's Happening" meme.

I think the Lakers will give them the best offer (with the assumption that the Spurs like Ingram). I also think that either the Spurs will get Kuzma or not take Deng, one of those 2 will happen. So either Ingram + pick/Hart or Ingram + Kuzma + Deng.

[TommyPoints]

Wow way to show your hand. Now lakers can just stand pat and a force a lowballed offer

Nah, if they trade with LA, they will be paying a decent price. They don't have to trade him to the Lakers.

We will see what happens. But I doubt the spurs get what they want now and don’t think the lakers will throw the farm.

The Spurs have no reason to not just wait until the trade deadline if they feel like it. They either get an offer that they want or they don't. The Lakers are the ones who need this to happen now.

[Driguez]

It was bound to happen. Teams are not gonna give up much for Leonard knowing he'll bolt to LA next season.

Assuming LA has the caproom and/or the team that has Kawhi is willing

The only assumption to be made is it has been made clear as day by Leonards camp he wants to be in LA, so I'm expecting a deal to either LA team sooner or later. SAS will want to get the most possible and the only teams that can do that are in LA.

[Spintown]

Nah, if they trade with LA, they will be paying a decent price. They don't have to trade him to the Lakers.

We will see what happens. But I doubt the spurs get what they want now and don’t think the lakers will throw the farm.

The Spurs have no reason to not just wait until the trade deadline if they feel like it. They either get an offer that they want or they don't. The Lakers are the ones who need this to happen now.

Lakers can sign Kawhi next year with cap space if they don’t get Lebron this year.

[woosah]

The WT summation is not the same as the article. Clickbait. They (reporters) are leaving it open that the spurs are now open by saying they have not ruled out anyone. That is not the same thing as saying they are open to it, lol. ESPN is a trip.

The Spurs having not ruled any team out means the Lakers are not being "shut out" as was being reported before the draft. The "shut out" report was false.

I don't recall a shut out report. I do recall a report they were called and they did not discuss it. That was not necessarily false. At this point there is no report of any consideration at all to any team for Kawhi. At this point the only report straight from Buford was that they would do everything to keep Kawhi up and to the trade deadline. This report does not refute that either. It just seems to make everyone exited (LA side) but not really an indication that anything has changed on the SAS side.

[DieYoung]

Both sides win with this. Here are the factors:

1. Leonard puts pressure on by saying he won't resign with anyone but the Lakers, so it's one year rental offers from elsewhere else, which are small. The Lakers' offer is probably bigger.
2. Lakers are motivated to get Leonard quickly. Their FA clock is ticking soon. If they get Leonard early, Lebron and P. George make their decisions, they could net all 3. This forces the Lakers to make a real offer now, but a smaller one at the trade deadline.
3. Spurs can hold out. But if the Spurs hold out too long, they will probably get a half hearted year out of Leonard, where he looks after his own interests anyway (rehab, knocking off the rust, not playing for the team). They can hold out a few more weeks and ruin the Lakers' free agency this summer if they want. This gives them some leverage. And the sign and trade contract is much bigger. This is their other form of leverage.

In this setup, I think it's clear that the best case for all parties is for the Lakers to make a legit offer (2 of their young stars + 1 pick instead of trying to hold onto either Kuzma or Ingram) and for the Spurs to take it.

Everyone loses if it doesn't work out: Lakers will strike out this summer. Spurs will get a deflated Leonard for a year. And Leonard will lose another year.

Everyone wins if it does work out: Lakers get star power and try to contend. Spurs get assets. Leonard gets to play where he wants.

Calling Ingram and Kuzma young stars is really exaggerating. They're both neg RPM guys putting up inflated numbers on a trash Lakers teams. Clarkson and Nance Jr were exposed when they actually had to play on a good team. Expect the same for losers like Ingram and Kuz. WIthout any decent picks, Lakers have no credible assets.

[Luigi]

Both sides win with this. Here are the factors:

1. Leonard puts pressure on by saying he won't resign with anyone but the Lakers, so it's smaller one year rental offers from elsewhere else. The Lakers' offer is probably bigger.
2. Lakers are motivated to get Leonard quickly. If they get him before Lebron and P. George make their decisions, they could net all 3. This makes them vulnerable enough to include more than just 1 of their good assets.
3. Spurs can hold out. But if the Spurs hold out too long, they will probably get a half hearted year out of Leonard, where he looks after his own interests anyway (rehab, knocking off the rust, not playing for the team). They can hold out a few more weeks and ruin the Lakers' free agency this summer if they want. This gives them some leverage. And the sign and trade contract is much bigger. This is their other form of leverage.

In this setup, I think it's clear that the best case for all parties is for the Lakers to make a legit offer (2 of their young stars + 1 pick instead of trying to hold onto either Kuzma or Ingram) and for the Spurs to take it.

Everyone loses if it doesn't work out: Lakers will strike out this summer. Spurs will get a deflated Leonard for a year. And Leonard will lose another year.

Everyone wins if it does work out: Lakers get star power and try to contend. Spurs get assets. Leonard gets to play where he wants.

PG has a special ready to air on ESPN. His decision is made. I strongly doubt Lebron is waiting on this either. I actually think these leaks are because LA does already know the two are coming and want to solidify the super team. The reports that PG is wavering and they don't know about Lebron are to make the spurs think it's not happening so they may be more open to trading since they would likely not be open to creating it once it comes out. Jmo though.
Also, S&T would probably not be the way LA would want to go because the team who gets a player via S&T would be hardcapped and they may be over the amount if they get PG and LBJ and somehow Kahwi.

I know about the special. He'll anounce between the 2nd and 3rd episode. The third episode could have contingencies built in.

I really need to learn about the cap more. Capologists, help!

[CIN-C-STAR]

The Spurs never ruled any trade partners out in the first place, so this isn't anything new being reported.
There is just additional smoke now because it's obvious Lebron wants to go to the Lakers but not without at least one other good player on the roster.
Lebron is pressuring the Lakers to make it happen, but the Spurs aren't too excited about being pawns in the Lakers-Kawhi tampering saga, nor should they be. They will either get a massive haul -- Ingram, Kuzma, no Deng, additional picks, and probably a S&T Randle to match salary -- or they will keep Kawhi and offer him the supermax and trade him down the road to a different team if necessary.
Those are most likely the Lakers' choices. I can see Magic folding and giving up the farm once he realizes it's Kawhi & Lebron or neither and another season in the late lottery.

[FNQ]

It was bound to happen. Teams are not gonna give up much for Leonard knowing he'll bolt to LA next season.

Assuming LA has the caproom and/or the team that has Kawhi is willing

The only assumption to be made is it has been made clear as day by Leonards camp he wants to be in LA, so I'm expecting a deal to either LA team sooner or later. SAS will want to get the most possible and the only teams that can do that are in LA.

Which doesnt really mean anything. Everyone assumed 100% that PG13 was coming to LA, its not at all a lock. Or that LeBron would be staying in Miami, or that KD was likely to re-up in OKC and definitely not join the W's..

A ton can change in a year and while Leonard is trying to force the Spurs' hand right now, he really doesnt have the power. If someone beats the Lakers' offer, the Spurs take it. They have no concerns about where Leonard plays. And if that new team finds that Kawhi wants to leave and the Lakers have used all their space, that new team has to be enticed to send Kawhi over there via S&T.

This is exactly like PG13 last year, and he didnt wind up a Laker

[r0drig0lac]

We will see what happens. But I doubt the spurs get what they want now and don’t think the lakers will throw the farm.

The Spurs have no reason to not just wait until the trade deadline if they feel like it. They either get an offer that they want or they don't. The Lakers are the ones who need this to happen now.

Lakers can sign Kawhi next year with cap space if they don’t get Lebron this year.

this is good for the Lakers, and for Kawhi (if all the news about him wanting to be a Laker and just a Laker are really true)

[Luigi]

Both sides win with this. Here are the factors:

1. Leonard puts pressure on by saying he won't resign with anyone but the Lakers, so it's one year rental offers from elsewhere else, which are small. The Lakers' offer is probably bigger.
2. Lakers are motivated to get Leonard quickly. Their FA clock is ticking soon. If they get Leonard early, Lebron and P. George make their decisions, they could net all 3. This forces the Lakers to make a real offer now, but a smaller one at the trade deadline.
3. Spurs can hold out. But if the Spurs hold out too long, they will probably get a half hearted year out of Leonard, where he looks after his own interests anyway (rehab, knocking off the rust, not playing for the team). They can hold out a few more weeks and ruin the Lakers' free agency this summer if they want. This gives them some leverage. And the sign and trade contract is much bigger. This is their other form of leverage.

In this setup, I think it's clear that the best case for all parties is for the Lakers to make a legit offer (2 of their young stars + 1 pick instead of trying to hold onto either Kuzma or Ingram) and for the Spurs to take it.

Everyone loses if it doesn't work out: Lakers will strike out this summer. Spurs will get a deflated Leonard for a year. And Leonard will lose another year.

Everyone wins if it does work out: Lakers get star power and try to contend. Spurs get assets. Leonard gets to play where he wants.

Calling Ingram and Kuzma young stars is really exaggerating. They're both neg RPM guys putting up inflated numbers on a trash Lakers teams. Clarkson and Nance Jr were exposed when they actually had to play on a good team. Expect the same for losers like Ingram and Kuz.

That's true. I meant to call them young assets like I did in the last paragraph.

I think Lakers fans way overrate their young core. It's only natural. I watched fellow Jazz fans way overrate our young cores in rebuilding. They would unanimously reject three 1st rounders from the Hawks for Enes Kanter, and go all in on Trey Burke. They were all over Rodney Hood as equal to Hawyard at the start of the season, too.

[Cavsfansince84]

This confirms what I expected. The Celtics can put together the best package for Kawhi, but Ainge is cold-blooded when it comes to negotiating, and he is under 0 pressure to get a deal done.

The Sixers package isn’t nearly as enticing as everybody believes.

The Lakers can legitimately offer the best, realistic package. The most I’d offer Ingram and Kuzma, but they’d HAVE to take Deng. No extra picks.

That’s fair for everyone.

Would the Lakers rather give up Ingram or Ball though if they know LeBron is coming?