Former Finals Most Valuable Player Kawhi Leonard is still with the San Antonio Spurs but the team's fans have already turned on him.
This is after some of the rabid Spurs fans have decided to burn a jersey of the six-year veteran right after hearing Leonard's desire to move in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, Leonard expressed his interest in joining the LA Lakers next season. He has yet to request a trade from the Spurs management.
Surprisingly, the LA Lakers have yet to make a move on signing the two-time defensive player of the year citing injury concerns. Leonard only played nine games last season after suffering from a quadriceps injury. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2.0 steals per game in the 2017-18 NBA season.
At present, Leonard has been working on his recovery since May. Although there is no timetable yet for his return, it was reported earlier this month that the two-time All-Star is almost 100 percent.
However, when healthy, Leonard has been proven lethal on both ends of the floor. During the 2016-17 NBA season, Leonard tallied a career-high of 25.5 points per game average to go along with 5.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
According to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, the Lakers and the LA Clippers have yet to discuss a trade scenario with the Spurs involving Leonard stating a concern on the severity of his injury. Nonetheless, all hope is not lost for the Spurs to retain Leonard as the team is set to offer the versatile forward a luxurious five-year $219 million extension.
Leonard is in the final year of his contract. He is expected to meet head coach Gregg Popovich to discuss an extension. Popovich is still out of town due to personal matters.
Cleveland Joins Sweepstakes
The Cleveland Cavaliers have also shown a keen interest in signing Leonard. If the deal pushes through, the Cavaliers are expected to send Kevin Love and the eighth overall pick of this year's draft in exchange for Leonard. Even so, experts believe that the deal might not push through as Love also plays the same position with LaMarcus Aldridge. To make the trade work, NBA pundits believe that a third team who is interested with Love should be involved.
Besides the Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics are also interested in making a deal for Leonard. Earlier this year, the Celtics asked for the availability of Leonard in the trade deadline. Additionally, other teams that will likely make a run for him include the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
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