A meeting with Kawhi Leonard will be the Spurs’ top priority of the offseason, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. Head coach Gregg Popovich is expected to lead the session as the team tries to determine whether it can work through a dispute with its top player and forge a long-term relationship.
An MVP candidate last year, Leonard was limited to nine games this season by a lingering quad injury. He was cleared to return by team doctors, but not by his personal physicians in New York, where he made two extended visits during the season. Rumors persisted of disharmony between Leonard and the organization, and they intensified when he opted not to join the team for its playoff series.
“Kawhi, everybody asks questions, but he’s still here,” Danny Green said after last night’s season-ending loss at Golden State. “He’s still locked in. He’s a part of the team until things change.”
This summer’s meeting will go a long way for the Spurs in deciding whether to offer Leonard a supermax extension valued at about $219MM over five years. Complicating matters, Wright notes, are divorce proceedings between Peter Holt, the team’s former chairman and CEO, and Juliana Hawn Holt, the current chairman and co-CEO, which could affect any major financial decisions for the organization.
Wright offers more news about possible changes coming in San Antonio:
- Manu Ginobili is signed for $2.5MM next season, but isn’t sure if he’ll return. Ginobili, who will turn 41 in July, plans to make the decision sometime this summer. “As I’ve done it the last two or three seasons, I’ll sit back, relax and, after two or three months, see if I feel retired or not,” he said. “I like to let it season a little bit, to see how I feel. Don’t expect news until July, probably. I just don’t know. I let a month, two months go by and see how I feel. I’m not the type of guy who makes decisions on the fly, and when you are upset, hurt or whatever.”
- Tony Parker, who turns 36 next month, is headed toward free agency after 17 years with the Spurs. He has expressed a desire to return to the team, but will probably have to accept a significant pay cut after making $15.4MM this season. “I said already I want to keep playing,” Parker stated. “I’m happy I don’t have those retirement parties. I want to keep playing, and we’ll see if it’s in San Antonio. Everybody knows I would love to stay here. But free agency is always crazy, so we’ll see.”
- Pau Gasol, 37, expressed a desire to play another three to four seasons. He is under contract for $16.8MM next year, with a non-guaranteed $16MM in 2019/20.
- Green [$10MM for next season], Rudy Gay [$8.8MM] and Joffrey Lauvergne [$1.7MM] all have a June 29 deadline to exercise their player options. “This organization is a big part of me,” Green said, “and I would love to play here again, would love to come back. But things get interesting in free agency.”
Decisions have to be made on Murray and if he is indeed the point guard going forward. The kid has a great attitude, great size, and plays good defense but his jumpshot is not good enough to consider going all in with him. If Kawhi stays then how are they upgrading? Walker would make a good fit at the point for them, bring him in for one year and see how it plays out then you decide if you want to sign him next summer. He fits in well with the Spurs because they need a scoring guard, Murray is not that nor will be ever be.
Walker who ???
Kemba
Murray is making spot-up corner 3s vs GSW. Maybe he’s got a BJ Armstrong game, but with those astounding defensive and rebounding numbers.
The Spurs need more then just a BJ as their point guard going forward. Specially if they want to contend next season with Kawhi. Without Kawhi it would be asking too much if Murray to become the franchise guard, I don’t think he’s that good so getting Kemba in SA would be wise. Kemba can play off the ball and be a revitalization for the franchise in the way Ginobili was when he took off. The Spurs lack some spice and Kemba has it, he’s got unlimited range and is lightning quick.
They can play both. If Kemba is one guard, the other should be good on D. That could be Danny Green but if Murray keeps hitting he is an upgrade. Assuming Kemba is there for leadership.
After watching last nights game, and the series as a whole, it’s evident that the Warriors play Spurs basketball more than the Spurs do any longer.
The Isolation game with LMA is not how they were built during their championship days. Yes he is a talented scorer, but the extra pass to get the open three doesn’t exist in their offense any longer.
Pop and LMA were able to work out their differences in meetings last summer, hopefully he can do the same with Kawhi. I would much rather see the Spurs sell high on LMA than deal Leonard.
If Kawhi does want out, Spurs need to look at a rebuild. Go with Murray at the point, get White some minutes and continue to develop young guys like Forbes.
If Leonard does stay and sign, I would give him back the keys to the car, move LMA for a couple of quality depth pieces, add depth to the front court and keep Parker on a one year deal.
Maybe a deal of LMA and Paul to the Pacers for Thad, Jefferson, Leaf and a first. Young would be a great complimentary piece, Jefferson a quality vet on an expiring deal and another pick this year helps the Spurs for next year and the future as well
Dude nothing against Thad but the Spurs would be far from contenders with a lineup of
Murray-Green?-Kawhi-Young-Gasol
Can’t really see Danny Green wanting to returned to being yanked around by Pops for another year, unless he just can’t see beating a $10m guarantee somewhere else this offseason.
Green won’t find more than $10M on the open market. His shooting numbers have dropped to the point where he’s now just a league average 3PT shooter. Danny would be lucky to get $5M per.