KAWHI HEALTH MAJOR CELTICS CONCERN
Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics might be the best remaining trade option for the Spurs should San Antonio move All-Star Kawhi Leonard.
But whether they can make that happen appears still very much in question.
Speaking on the Los Angeles Lakers’ channel on Spectrum SportsNet earlier this week, NBA insider and salary cap expert Larry Coon reported extreme trade demands from the Spurs put the Celtics ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, who aren’t willing to implode the existing roster around LeBron James to add Leonard, who is one season away from free agency.
Coon reported the Spurs asked the Lakers for Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram—all first-round picks in 2016 or 2017—in addition to two future first-round picks for Leonard and a draft pick.
The nature of Leonard’s demand and reported interest in playing in Los Angeles would appear to limit the leverage of the Spurs.
What’s more, while Ainge said the Celtics always “explore every trade,” he was tepid in his remarks about chasing Leonard. Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the move was still a possibility based largely on Ainge’s history, but doubted Leonard’s in- terest in such a move.
Ainge has pulled off major trades many times before, including deals for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and last offseason, landing point guard Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
ESPN reported the Spurs were actively involved in discussions with the Celtics and Lakers about Leonard, but the Celtics also appear apprehensive to go all-in on Leonard due to concerns about his health and the possibility that he could leave in free agency next summer.—