San Antonio Spurs: Are Kawhi Leonard’s Braids Gone? (Photo)

Feb 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in action against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center. The San Antonio Spurs won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in action against the Los Angeles Clippers during the third quarter at Staples Center. The San Antonio Spurs won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Antonio Spurs may be without at least one important piece for the 2017-18 NBA season: Kawhi Leonard’s braids.

Since 2011, Kawhi Leonard has been an integral part of the San Antonio Spurs. The franchise traded for him in the 2011 NBA Draft, via moving up to the No. 15 overall pick and taking him from San Diego State.

Since Leonard’s collegiate career, he’s donned braids or cornrows, as his hairstyle. It’s somewhat become a trademarked look of his since he’s had the same look for years.

Well, a possibly dramatic and serious change occurred to Leonard’s look. On Tuesday night, a photo of him floated around from what looked like a gym. In it, the former NBA Finals MVP hairstyle is clearly missing something: there may be no more braids. It’s somewhat difficult to tell if they’re actually gone, based on this photo below:

RIP Kawhi Leonard braids 1991-2017 pic.twitter.com/VQ1jrWOAuQ

— Legends (@LegendsofCH) June 21, 2017

pic.twitter.com/jGQ4sl063x

— Air Alamo (@AirAlamo) June 21, 2017

It’s a potential look unlike anything seen of Leonard in the NBA. He’ll surely be asked about it (if they’re gone), in his next interview. Based on the reaction to the removal of the braids, fans will be anxious to hear his eventual reason:

The weirdest NBA off-season ever

— Justin Mozik (@jmOzzzzzz) June 21, 2017

He evolved. The league is now on notice

— Matty A (@MattyA510) June 21, 2017

pic.twitter.com/W3N64z4LIP

— Drew Lofton (@LoftonDrew) June 21, 2017

He's gonna have them back before the season starts

— Spurs 0-0 (@Rayymond15) June 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/TrendingSociety/status/877359216402595840

Kawhi Leonard cut the braids???

— TB (@_Trae1) June 21, 2017

Kawhi Leonard cut his cornrolls off and Im heartbroken but its okay. it only means he winning MVP unanimously next year along with dat ring

— yung r kelly (@alfredjrgarcia) June 21, 2017

https://twitter.com/JassyBravo/status/877369647795982336

This Leonard-braids photo came on a day of chaos in the NBA. It saw Dwight Howard get moved to the Charlotte Hornets, D’Angelo Russell go to the Brooklyn Nets, and rumors swirling around Kristaps Porzingis, Paul George and Jimmy Butler. Oh, and the 2017 NBA Draft is less than 48 hours away.

Meanwhile, Leonard awaits his positioning in the 2017 NBA Finals MVP vote. He’s a candidate for the award, with James Harden and Russell Westbrook also in contention. This will take place at the 2017 NBA Awards show on Monday, June 26.

Next: Spurs' 2017 NBA Mock Draft

In the meantime, let’s speculate over Leonard’s braids while this NBA offseason moves at a frantic pace. What will happen next?