San Antonio Spurs: Charles Barkley on Kawhi Leonard’s future

Charles Barkley spoke on San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonards injury status and if he should stay with the organization.

For the past three months, rumors of reports remained rampant over Kawhi Leonard’s injury and his association with the San Antonio Spurs. Whether it’s on communication, a disconnected relationship, a players-only meeting or his “rumored” returns to the court that never resulted in anything, a new narrative arrives by the week that tears at the star player and organization’s dynamic.

Along with this, NBA personalities weighed in on Leonard’s status. This included David Robinson and Stephen Jackson, former players who took different avenues on their thoughts. Jackson’s comments were for the player and against the team, while Robinson stayed in the middle.

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst, Charles Barkley, became the latest NBA figure speak about Leonard’s situation. He did so on Get Up!, ESPN’s new morning show that debuted Monday:

“I feel just sadness with that situation because he’s a great player. The Spurs are an organization in the NBA and I don’t know what happened. I watch you guys on everyday and I don’t know what’s true and what’s not true. But I’ll tell you this: Kawhi Leonard should stay with the Spurs because the grass is not always greener on the other side. He might make more money but when you play for a great organization — there’s a big difference between a good organization and a bad organization, and the Spurs are awesome.”

More from Spurs News

• Spurs show remarkable poise against Bulls, unlike many fans
• Devin Vassell is the latest in the Spurs’ collection of silent assassins
• San Antonio Spurs: 5 Players to avoid in any LaMarcus Aldridge deal
• Is Gregg Popovich hiding Luka Samanic as a secret weapon?
• San Antonio Spurs News: More DeRozan trade talk from Chris Haynes

Barkley’s belief sides with Leonard staying in San Antonio, with other situations presenting unknown variables. The money will be there, but it depends on the city, teammates, coaches and others around him. It might not equal the Spurs, who the former Philadelphia 76ers star called “awesome,” with their years of organizational stability, head coach Gregg Popovich and five championships.

None of the Leonard reports included him wanting out of San Antonio. Of course, a problematic relationship with the organization can result in a change, but that might be known until the offseason, potentially around the 2018 NBA Draft. Or it could be a Kyrie Irving situation, which did not unfold until the latter part of the offseason. If not, maybe nothing will happen and the San Diego State product remains in the Alamo City for the 2018-19 season.

Next: Top 25 players in SAS history

There’s nothing certain about Leonard’s future in San Antonio, so let’s see what happens next.