7:58pm: The Lakers haven’t offered Ingram in any deals, Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times tweets. She subsequently clarified that this doesn’t preclude them from being willing to include him if push came to shove.
12:58pm: The Celtics are taking a “conservative” approach in talks with the Spurs and have yet to discuss Jaylen Brown, tweets Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe.
12:12pm: The Lakers are willing to include Brandon Ingram and a future first-round pick in a package for Leonard, according to Wojnarowski, who hears from league sources that the Spurs want a “far more complete haul” of young players and picks.
Meanwhile, Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe (Twitter link) continues to hear that a Celtics trade for Leonard remains unlikely, given all the question marks related to his health and contract situation. Boston hasn’t received any assurances from Kawhi that he’d want to be a Celtic, tweets Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald.
11:15am: According to Sam Amick of USA Today (via Twitter), “rumblings of a Godfather Lakers offer” for Leonard have other teams wondering if they have any realistic chance to land the two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
10:39am: As recently as last week, Spurs general manager R.C. Buford was telling reporters that the club still hoped to smooth things over with Kawhi Leonard and keep the star forward on the roster. However, San Antonio’s stance appears to be evolving.
According to Marc Stein of The New York Times (via Twitter), league sources are saying that the Spurs are “ready” to move on from Leonard. Stein cautions that the team’s apparent willingness to deal doesn’t mean that San Antonio will send Leonard to the Lakers or any other team within the next day or two. However, it appears to be a major shift if the Spurs’ thinking.
The Spurs are currently “fully engaged” in Leonard trade talks with a number of teams, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (via Twitter). Wojnarowski identifies the Lakers and Celtics as two clubs very much involved in those discussions, adding that Boston has the assets that the Spurs covet most in a potential swap.
Even if the Celtics refuse to include Jayson Tatum in an offer for Leonard, they have multiple young players that could appeal to San Antonio, including Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier. Adding Marcus Smart via a sign-and-trade could also be a possibility, and the C’s are loaded with future first-round picks, including the Kings’ 2019 first-rounder (top-1 protected).
Still, when Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald addressed the Leonard situation on Wednesday evening, he suggested that the Celtics and Spurs hadn’t gotten anywhere in their discussions so far. Per Bulpett, the Celtics would want assurances that Leonard’s quad injury is healed and that he’d be willing to stay in Boston for more than one year. Without those assurances, it’s hard to imagine the C’s offering the kind of significant package the Spurs will be seeking.
Multiple reports from ESPN on Wednesday indicated that the Lakers are feeling some pressure to finalize a Leonard trade as soon as possible, since landing Kawhi could give the team the strong upper hand in the LeBron James sweepstakes. While the Spurs are under no obligation to adhere to the Lakers’ preferred timeline, rival suitors could feel compelled to increase their offers for the star forward if they sense that the Lakers are going all in.
The Sixers, Clippers, and Cavaliers are among the other teams known to have inquired on Leonard’s availability, though the Clips and Cavs may lack the young players necessary to put together a tempting offer.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Kawhi and for Rozier, Morris, Brown, 1st rd pick
If that’s what it costs the Celtics than I say pull the trigger. Keeping Tatum is key. I’d hate to see brown go but im sure he needs to be included in the deal
If I’m the Celtics, and I’m being serious, I would send out Kyrie if I’m getting Kawhi Leonard.
I think Kyrie will become too expensive yet physically unreliable. Plus, Rosier did a nice enough job in Kyties absence.
Is Kawhi physically reliable?
With Kawhi it was a psychological thing. The Spurs deemed him ready to play in December. Maybe he didn’t feel quite right so you give him a couple more months but he didn’t even sit on the bench during the playoffs lol. So that’s all hurt feelings Etc
Irving had two screws in his knee and an infection and it’s been giving him problems for a little while. He’s a great player and a Maxtalent for sure, but if Kawhi commits Beyond next year I throw in Kyrie Irving.
He had a series of bruising that made the tendon sore and prone to injury down the road. (his doctors description). He just felt pain when he played back to backs and wanted to play pain free. From all accounts of spurs players he was dominant in practice which prompted them to fee he would be back in season.
You can say the same thing for Kawhi.
Kyrie wants to be in Boston though. Unless Kawhi agrees to be there for multiple years, it makes no sense.
Kawhi said he’s willing to go to places other than L.A. His uncle (his group) wants him near New York where he did his rehab.
Interesting- what’s the source? I hadn’t heard that
Made up, to this point on la. Provide sources.
Kawhi did his rehab in New York (the group Pop refers too). This group says they would like Kawhi in a big market, and would be willing to except either New York or L.A. They mention Kyrie being from East Orange, New Jersey, and his group from West Orange, New Jersey and could put Kawhi and Kyrie together next summer.
It was online today that San Antonio would be asking for a combination of Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Kyle Kuzma plus a sign and trade with Julius Randle plus first round picks for Kawhi. This is the massive haul San Antonio is talking about.
Kyrie will test free agency.
Brooklyn is trying to clear space for 2 max contracts. Speculation is Kyrie could be one of them. This would be next year.
Are you the only one speculating that?
No. I read it. Kyrie is from East Orange, N.J.
It’s on Inquistr.com by J.B. Bareulo
Kyrie wants to be in NY next year, hence not doing an extension, even after an injury.
Too much unless there is some sort of commitment beyond next year.
If it’s just a rental take out Brown.
I’ve read this plus Gubusele, and both the Sacramento and Clippers pick.
You mean for Anthony Davis right?
I’ve read Draymond Green and Klay Thompson for Anthony Davis.
As a warrior fan I would not do that. Thompson and Curry make each other’s games better. And so far they’ve been able to handle Draymond personality.
Anthony Davis is another guy that gets hurt quite a bit. He’s like a giraffe on stilts out there and goes down easily.
Klay doesn’t want to leave Golden State. Draymond says he took a cut for them to get KD, so he has to get the max. I don’t think they’ll give it to him.
I bet he gets it. He will be 30 but teams will have money in ’20.
Let’s be real. Danny isnt offering Doo doo. He is a great gm but low balls everyone and wins every damn trade. He isn’t offering anything worth trading kawhi there and the spurs are using the Celtics to up the offers. Everyone knows it’s the Lakers and the spurs are doing everything they can to get the Lakers to bid against themselves. By all accounts it’s working.
I would take that deal, provided it’s the Kings pick. C’s would jump too if they had assurances from Claw that he would resign.
I’d hate to lose Jaylen Brown but if he’s the price for Kawhi then I think they have to do it. Tatum is a must keep. If the Celtics can somehow pull off the deal without including Brown or Tatum then give Ainge GM of the year for the next 15 years
Nope. I’d deal Brown not Tatum
I’m sending out an already-to-be departing Kyrie
There were statements that Kawhi said he will sign with the Lakers next year whoever trades for him..
If that’s the case then you’re not getting much from the Celtics. As we’ve said for months Lakers are the only team that can offer a substantial package because they know he’s signing with them longer-term. The writing’s on the wall Lakers Lakers Lakers.
The Lakers can’t give up what San Antonio is asking for. San Antonio can wait. L.A. can’t. The joke today is LeBron told Stephen A. that he had texted KD about getting together in L.A. Kd isn’t going any where.
Boston is in a tricky situation because the spurs know that they have the most assets so SA is going to be looking to get the most from them, meanwhile Boston will be feeling like they dont want to overpay. similar situation to jimmy butler last year, boston ultimately passed.
What kind of “assurances” can he give them that he’ll re-sign? Unless they get his signature on the dotted line I wouldn’t do it.
If the Spurs trade him to the Lakers they should be requiring Ingram at min. Bc they are basically handing the West to three teams no one else has a shot at that point. You had an off chance of beating Houston if CP3 goes down… but still.
The Celtics have both the Sacramento pick, the Clippers pick, and their own.
They have Gordon Hayward, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart in sign and trade, Marcus Smart, and they can throw in Gubusele (spelling) for salary purposes. Kyrie would be ideal. Like Kawhi he’s not taking the extension. He too has physical issues. He too is an all star. And they have matching salaries. I think the only untouchables are Horford and Tatum.
Danny Ainge went through this exact situation with Paul George last summer. He thought he’d get the last chance at him. It’ll be interesting to see what he does this time.
Meant Marcus Morris not Marcus Smart twice. I can see Kawhi liking Boston. I could see sending Kyrie and a pick. Horford, Tatum, Kawhi, Hayward, and Rozier with Brown, Baynes, Thiel, and Robert Williams off the bench might compete with Golden State.
I feel the Spurs need to be careful here. They can’t overplay their hand, because Kawhi truly is a rental.
They are probably the least experienced team in the league with regards to trading, as all of their stars have been in-house; drafted and developed.
They’re now in an unenviable position – and if they try to stay competitive, will always be that mid-table seed. Aldridge, Gasol, Mills, Green, Ginobili and Parker with a load of second-round rookies aren’t going to get out of the first round of the playoffs.
I think they need to get a young big back – Aldridge will want out of a rebuild, and Pau is suddenly ineffective. I’d try and include one or both of them in a trade.
If it’s the Lakers – you want some combination of Ingram/Kuzma/Hart/Randle/Zubac.
If it’s the Celts – you want some combination of Rozier/Brown/Smart/Morris/Ojeleye.
In fact, if I’m the Spurs I go into full rebuild mode –
PG – Rozier/Murray
SG – Walker/Murray
SF – Brown/Ingram
PF – Anderson/Morris/Kuzma
C – ?
Bench – old-timers (Parker/Ginobili) Smart, Zubac, Bertans, Paul, Costello, Hilliard, Forbes
Sure Rozier Morris Ojeleye. Spurs are not getting Brown for a 1 year rental of Kawhi. Not happening.
Hope the Lakers don’t offer too much since he is coming off a year long injury. Would be bummed if they include Ingram. Bunch of picks, Hart, Kuzma and DENG
It seems like the spurs are asking for a lot with close to no leverage. No offer will be great because every team knows he wants out and if he will in sign long term in la no team other than la will give up what the spurs are asking which in turn makes what the lakers have to give up less than normal.
I’d say the Spurs have all the leverage regarding the Lakers, question is, will anyone else step up to compete? Lakers want Lebron, and to close that door 100%, Leonard would do it. If the Celts offered Brown and the Kings pick, I’d say the Spurs would have to pull the trigger on that one. That’s where the Lakers have to outbid, otherwise James may have a change of heart.
All the leverage how. No team will give them there asking price because he won’t resign. The longer they hang on to him the worse the deals will get. The lakers can offer the most because he will resign but they are making an emotional decision to to help the lakers instead of making the best basketball move for the team. They have no leverage they either trade him for below market value now, trade him for way below market value later or get nothing for him. Any way you slice it Kawhi won’t be a sour one year from now.
“The Lakers can offer the most because he will resign but they are making an emotional decision to to help the Lakers instead of making the best…”
What?
Spurs have leverage. And after Kawhi texting LBJ today, the ask just went higher…
Not trading with the lakers because you don’t want to help them out even though they can put together the best package is obviously not a basketball decision. The best basketball decision is to trade him to the highest bidder right now before his value drops more and the spurs are refusing to do that. Spurs have little to no leverage because they are losing Kawhi at some point. It can either be now, or later but all waiting does is drop the price lower.
I would rather include kuzma that ingram….
From the Lakers side of things, Isn’t it the best case scenario for them to do a sign and trade with Randle as the center piece? If we are signing 2 superstars, there is no money for Randle.
They shouldn’t trade for him, they should try trading for Anthony Davis
Ingram and a pick…. THE END!
If declined, that’s cool. Odds on he’ll end up in LA the following year. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT over offer Magic, the young core is decent as is
Can someone explain why on the world Boston would give up a lot of assets for a year of Leonard. He’s made it extremely clear he wants to play in LA and is a year from UFA. Makes the most sense to trade Ingram and a pick straight up. Not sure LA is read to do that Ingram could be a stud equal to Leonard and have them both in a year.
If I were Danny, I would walk away from the Leonard/San Antonio scenario and offer the Knicks
Kyrie for Porzingas, straight up. Hayward will be at full strength, and all the young guys deserve more playing time.
All these people who thinks San Antonio can get a king’s ransom for Kawhi, you so funny, he ain’t no king, he’s a rental so no stars for him at all.
Everybody is talking about this quitter, why don’t teams try to trade for an actual winner that is a superstar, like AD, KAT, DMC…
By the way Warriors fans you do realize that extreme fringe stars like Klay & Draymond combined don’t get you anywhere near a true superstar like AD.
The Warriors get whatever they want. Klay Thompson isn’t going anywhere. The Lakers can have LeBron and Kawhi. They won’t get Paul George. And they won’t beat the Warriors.
Kawhi is not a rental if he goes to Philly.
Leonard is a quitter. I would not want him on my team.