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Spurs Rumors: Kawhi Leonard may prefer the Clippers

By Rob Wolkenbrod

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 13, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kawhi Leonard wants to be in Los Angeles, but could the San Antonio Spurs move him to the Clippers?

Kawhi Leonard once seemed to be a lock to the Los Angeles Lakers, who signed LeBron James, Lance Stephenson and Rajon Rondo in free agency. They appear to be the next superteam in the Western Conference, but will need help from the San Antonio Spurs, or whoever else, to acquire a star that lines up next to James.

However, the idea of LeBron and Leonard may not appeal to one of them. Yahoo’s Shams Charania told The Herd with Colin Cowherd that Leonard might prefer the Clippers, over the Lakers, now that the four-time NBA MVP will don the Purple and Gold (h/t Knicks Nation).

“I dont think Kawhi is jumping for joy now that LeBron is a Laker. If anything he’ll be more open to joining the Clippers” – @ShamsCharania

— KnicksNation (@KnicksNation) July 3, 2018

After all the speculation around Leonard and the Lakers, a move to the Clippers would arguably come as an upset. With the idea of a superteam under Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, and with James as the first piece, Leonard seemed to be the inevitable add-on or even the player that started the domino effect. However, that’s not the case and being the second guy in town could deter the situation.

If Charania’s quote is the case, does that mean Leonard only wants to be the guy? Not with the Lakers, but the Clippers no longer have star-caliber players, with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan all on different teams. Leonard would become the clear go-to superstar for the other Los Angeles team, with Lou Williams and Tobias Harris as their top players.

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What could the Spurs receive from the Clippers? With the draft over, they have Jerome Robinson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to move. Aside from them, there are not a bevy of assets. Maybe Harris goes, since he’s on an expiring deal, but San Antonio may receive a first round pick that falls outside the lottery in 2019. Would that, one of Robinson or Gilgeous-Alexander and Harris be enough?

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