The NBA rumor mill has been sent into a frenzy with news that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio and the teams that figure to be the most active this offseason - Celtics, Clippers, Lakers, 76ers - have already expressed interest in a trade.
However, some people close to Kawhi Leonard want him to play for the New York Knicks, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
There are more than a few teams who can offer a better package to San Antonio for Kawhi than the Knicks can (assuming they don’t include Porzingis), but people close to Leonard have expressed a desire for Leonard to play in New York, per sources. https://t.co/CTs0ISkKXv
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 15, 2018
The relationship between Leonard and the Spurs deteriorated this season as Leonard stayed away from the team with a quad injury and only played in nine games. San Antonio was focused on repairing the relationship with Leonard and were hoping to sign him to a supermax extension this summer, but those talks appear to have not gone well.
The Spurs have indicated they would be willing to trade him this offseason if things don't get better between the two sides.
However, because he is still under contract for a year and does not have a no-trade clause, the Spurs do not have to adhere to Leonard's request. If they do trade him, it will likely be to the Eastern Conference - which plays right into New York's hands.
Leonard, who averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in the 2016-17 season, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2019 if he does not sign an extension.
New York does not plan to be major players on the free agent market this offseason in order to save cap space for the 2019 offseason when they plan to be very active in pursuing the likes of Kyrie Irving.
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