The news came early that morning.
Masai and company had just traded for Kawhi Leonard. A top 5 player. A perennial all-star and two-way beast. A legitimate MVP candidate, who was, up until a few months ago, the player who would lead the San Antonio Spurs into its next generation of success.
The Road to the Trade
But an injury and a “difference of opinion” on how to best remedy it, led to a rift between the Spurs brass, coaches and players and the former NBA Finals MVP.
Kawhi wanted out, whether he said so publicly or not.