Leonard to C’s still a longshot
NBA
If San Antonio gets serious about trading Kawhi Leonard, the Celtics, according to multiple league sources, would like to be involved. But there has been nothing — yet — to indicate they have a realistic chance.
A Western source with an interest in the proceeding told the Herald that the Spurs did have a brief discussion with the Celts yesterday, but there was said to be no real negotiation. The last previous contact between the teams occurred prior to the draft and did not include the C’s making an offer. That brief call, according to two league sources, went nowhere.
San Antonio has been checking the marketplace to see what kind of return it could get on Leonard, but it’s hard to see things working out with the Celtics under the current circumstances of Leonard’s health and future plans.
The C’s would need assurances that Leonard’s quadriceps injury is healed and that he would be willing to stay with the team beyond the coming season. The first-team All-NBA forward in 2015-16 and 2016-17 can opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent after this year. He played in just nine games this past season because of the quad problem, and questions about whether he could and should have played more strained his relationship with the Spurs.
Logic says that anything the Celtics would be willing to give up would have to be reflective of those issues, which would mean the deal wouldn’t be good enough for the Spurs.
It’s not believed the Celts are willing to move either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown, and whether they’d put the 2019 Sacramento first-round pick (protected only if it’s No. 1 overall) on the table is likely dependent on the sides getting serious enough to allow the C’s permission to speak with Leonard, gauge his interest and check his medical information.
But everything indicates they are miles from any of that. And the best information circulating through league front offices is that Leonard is still intent on getting to the Lakers, either by trade now or as a free agent next summer.
LeBron homes in
As the sports world waits to see where LeBron James intends to play next season and beyond, there remains the real possibility the three-time champion could choose to stay in Cleveland, his hoops home for 11 of the past 15 years and where this Northeast Ohio son shares a unique and profound connection with fans who have followed him since his teens.
James has other options: Los Angeles (salary-cap space for another star, Magic Johnson in charge), Houston (a chance to play on a super team with MVP James Harden), Philadelphia (young stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid), and maybe more.
But, as has always been the case for James, home will pull at his heart.
For the longest time, the perception was that once James ended Cleveland’s 52-year title drought in 2016, he would leave again as soon as he could. That doesn’t seem to be a slam dunk any longer.
By tomorrow, James is expected to make his first move and likely decline a $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Cavs, who are hoping their past loyalties to the 33-year-old and his own sentimental attachments — family, legacy — will keep him in Cleveland.
Unlike his free agency forays in 2010 and 2014, James will not meet with prospective teams. He’s letting agent Rich Paul and his other representatives handle the business side of things as he vacations with family and makes up his mind.
Meanwhile, as they wait to see if they’re in James’ plans, the Cavaliers intend to extend a $3.4 million qualifying offer to 6-foot-8 forward Rodney Hood, making him a restricted free agent and protecting the club if he receives any offers.
Lakers tender Randle
The Los Angeles Lakers extended a $5.6 million qualifying offer to forward Julius Randle, making him a restricted free agent.
The Lakers made the move ensuring they can match any offer sheet from another team signed by Randle starting on July 8.
The 23-year-old Randle is coming off his best season with the Lakers, who chose him with the seventh overall pick in 2014. He averaged a career-high 16.1 points with 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists while playing in all 82 games.
Hammon promoted
Becky Hammon is moving up San Antonio’s coaching ladder.
The Spurs announced they have promoted Hammon to fill the spot vacated by James Borrego on the team’s roster of assistant coaches.
Borrego left the Spurs to become the new coach of the Charlotte Hornets . . . .
Commissioner Adam Silver has received a five-year contract extension through the 2024 NBA Finals. Financial terms were not disclosed.