Kawhi Leonard and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich met in San Diego on Tuesday, according to ESPN.
According to the report, Leonard wants a trade to Los Angeles, preferably the Lakers over the Clippers, league sources said. He has privately maintained that he no longer wants to play in San Antonio and will eventually alert rival teams considering trades for him that his intention is to sign in Los Angeles when he can become a free agent in 2019, league sources said.
With Leonard reportedly telling teams that he intends to go to Los Angeles, it makes it harder for San Antonio to get full value for him.
Unless Popovich feels he can get a decent return for Leonard from the Lakers or the Clippers, he has to continue to try to work it out with Leonard.
The two-time All-Star has two years left on his contract but can opt out after next season. Therefore, the Spurs, in theory, can keep Leonard around another season with the hope that he will change his mind.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith believes it’s over between Leonard and San Antonio.
“He is going to be in L.A., there is no way around that,” Smith said on First Take.
Listen below:
https://twitter.com/FirstTake/status/1009454884398264321