Philadelphia 76ers Must Stay Away From Any Kawhi Leonard Trade
Thanks to a report that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio, the NBA Rumor Mill is on full tilt. It seems that every sports site and publication has Leonard paired with every team in the league. But this is the issue. The truth is, he may want to go back home and play with the Los Angeles Lakers. If this is true, then teams like the Philadelphia 76ers must avoid any trade involving Kawhi Leonard. Here’s why.
While Kawhi Leonard is one of the top talents in the NBA, he has come off a bit spoiled. How many players have requested to be traded from the San Antonio Spurs? I mean, this is Gregg Popovich were talking about. This is the team who once housed the talents of George Gervin, David Robinson, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan. No matter their age and with more money possibly on the table from other teams, those players decided to stay due to the atmosphere, Popovich, loyal fans, and most of all–winning. But here is Kawhi, all of 26, and he wants out due to minor differences.
We know the story. Leonard was injured and the team said he was able to play but Leonard thought otherwise, came back and was still hurting. His teammates went on record saying he should be playing but Leonard balked an sulked and here we are. Now, with reports stating he wants out, teams are lining up for his services and the Sixers are one of them. But the Sixers better tread lightly here. This is the same issue the Oklahoma City Thunder faced when dealing for Paul George last summer.
The Philadelphia 76ers Should Not Trade For Kawhi Leonard
George wanted out of Indiana and said his desired destination is the Lakers. OKC made the deal anyway knowing one season is all they may get out of George. So why make the trade and HOPE he stays? The Sixers are young, and after winning 52 games last season are on the fast track to running the Eastern Conference with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. While the Sixers do have the assets and money to get Kawhi Leonard, is it really worth it to give draft picks and possibly Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric or Robert Covington away for a player who may not stay past 2019?
A team that features Embiid, Simmons, and Leonard would surely win the East, but is it worth the headache that may come with it? Look at the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James this season. While the Cavs did make the NBA Finals, the dark cloud of LeBron possibly leaving was still lingering over their heads all year.
By making this deal, the Sixers will lose out on the No. 10 pick and players who are under contract for cheap for the next two years. Although Leonard, if traded has no say so for next season on where he goes, what happens if his heart is really set on Los Angeles and he comes to Philly with that same childish mindset he had in San Antonio? What if he says he’s not fully healed and he turns out to be the next Andrew Bynum?
Many believe that Leonard has the leverage by giving the Spurs a list of teams he will play for. No sir. The Spurs have the leverage here. They can get back assets to build a new foundation while trading Kawhi Leonard to any team they want knowing his heart is set on the Lakers. The Spurs can get picks and players and ship him to a team that will have to deal with his issues. The NBA is not college and the Sixers would be wise to not approach a season where a one and done deal is acceptable.
The Philadelphia 76ers better be careful here as one false move could destroy ‘The Process’ they built years building.
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Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
