SPURS DEMANDS COMPLICATE LEONARD TRADE

Kawhi Leonard wants to leave San Antonio for Los Angeles. But Boston has the assets that the Spurs want in exchange for their disgruntled star forward.

And the Celtics are not too hot to make a deal for Leonard as a one-season rental.

And such a complication is holding down any deal that would finally ship the former Finals MVP out of San Antonio.

Speaking on the Lakers’ chan- nel on Spectrum SportsNet earlier this week, NBA insider and salary cap expert Larry Coon reported extreme demands from the Spurs put the Celtics ahead of the Lakers, who aren’t willing to implode the existing roster around LeBron James to add Leonard.

Coon reported the Spurs asked the Lakers for Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram—all first-round picks in 2016 or ’17—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 LA would appear to limit the leverage of the Spurs.

Ainge said the Celtics always “explore every trade,” but remains tepid in his remarks about chasing Leonard.

“I feel great that we have a lot of players that people like and want,” Ainge said.