Spurs hoping to mend fences with Leonard

SAN ANTONIO General manager R.C. Buford acknowledges star forward Kawhi Leonard is unhappy with the Spurs.

He remains optimistic the relationship can be salvaged.

Leonard has requested a trade from San Antonio because he’s unhappy after missing most of last season with a right quadriceps injury.

Buford wouldn’t comment on “speculation” of a trade demand, but agreed there is a fractured relationship between Leonard and the only franchise he has played for.

“Kawhi and his family mean a lot to the organization and to the community, and while none of us wish we are where we are, we’re going to do what we can to build the best relationship we can with him,” Buford said.

Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season, but returned to play in nine games. He complained of discomfort and pain in the leg in his final game.

Leonard sought an outside opinion after the Spurs cleared him to play, working with his own medical team in New York in an attempt to return to the court.

The six-foot-seven forward reportedly became upset after the Spurs had questioned his rehabilitation process.

In the 2016-17 season, Leonard averaged a career-best 25.5 points and was third in the MVP voting. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP and two-time NBA defensive player of the year is due just more than US$20 million next season, and can become a free agent in the summer of 2019.

He’s eligible to sign a $220-million extension with San Antonio.

He is reportedly willing to walk away from that to play elsewhere, possibly in Los Angeles.

“I don’t know that timing is a factor in this from today ... he’s under contract for another year, (and) our goal is to keep him as part of our program for a long time,” Buford said.