Spurs suddenly look brilliant after recent Kawhi Leonard trade twist

San Antonio Spurs fans have no doubt been following the Kawhi Leonard controversy, with the latest twist proving to be the most entertaining yet. Leonard and the L.A. Clippers are currently being investigated by the NBA for alleged salary cap circumvention.

Despite that, the Toronto Raptors recently agreed to a deal with the Clippers, in which they re-acquired Leonard, or so they thought. That was until the NBA seemingly torpedoed the trade by warning the Raptors of potential punishments if the deal went through.

Now, all of a sudden, the Clippers and Raptors find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Meanwhile, the Spurs are sitting pretty after they passed on the opportunity to reunite with Leonard.

The Spurs can only laugh at the Clippers' and Raptors' Kawhi debacle

The initial deal would have cost the Raptors a pretty penny. The Raptors would have given up a former lottery pick in Gradey Dick, an All-Star in Brandon Ingram, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and the pick swap.

Now, they have two options: rework the trade or walk away. If they rework the trade, they could demand a first-round pick and the pick swap be removed. Especially with Leonard seemingly likely to be suspended or have his contract voided by the league.

That would at least minimize the potential fallout of moving on from Ingram and Dick. That modified deal seems like a reasonable gamble for Toronto to land Kawhi. Even if he's suspended for a chunk of next season, it would probably still be worth it.

The Spurs, meanwhile, have seemingly completed an A+ offseason that saw them shore up their major weakness and re-sign two starters on sweet deals.

When Kawhi Leonard goes, disappointment follows

If the league voids Leonard's contract, then the Clippers get absolutely nothing. Worse than nothing even. Remember, the NBA could take all of their remaining selections, leaving them barren in the pick department.

If the Raptors back out of the trade altogether, they basically had free agency pass them by and didn't actually get better. Neither team is in an enviable spot, but it's by Leonard's doing that both teams are in this position.

It took the Spurs years to dig their way out from the hole he dug them. Now, they are a championship contender and managed to get far better this offseason. No matter what happens, Leonard has already dramatically impacted the Raptors and Clippers, but that can no longer be said about the Spurs.

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