A New Team Is Being Mentioned For Kawhi Leonard
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 18, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Kawhi Leonard reportedly wants to end up in Los Angeles, playing for either the Lakers or the Clippers. The Spurs have yet to make a trade, though, and it's unclear if either of the L.A. teams are going to be willing to pull the trigger on a deal.
It's possible that Kawhi could end up staying put in San Antonio, playing the 2018-19 season and then deciding to hit free agency in 2019. If he does that, he could just sign with the Lakers or the Clippers and not have either of those teams lose any assets.
A new team is starting to be mentioned as a potential option for Kawhi in free agency, though: the Knicks.
New York is reportedly where Kawhi spent part of the 2017-18 season, rehabbing his injury. He appears to like the area and is comfortable living there.
The Knicks could be on the way up, too. Rookie Kevin Knox looked incredible during Summer League and Kristaps Porzingis should be healthy by next summer.
NBA insider Chris Sheridan thinks this is an option, too:
From what I have been told, Leonard spent more than a few afternoons at the headquarters of the PA, where a full-court gym is available to all NBA players and all NBA teams for workouts, shootarounds, and everything in between. There is an athletic trainer available every day, a full weight room, etc. The place is pretty much the most exclusive health club in the five boroughs.
And with the Knicks having the cap flexibility to bring in two max players next summer, it will be tabloid backpage headline writing heaven for the speculative souls whose puns are part of New York newspaper lore.
A Kawhi-Porzingis-Knox core would be a pretty fun one to watch. The Knicks could potentially add another star to that mix in the coming years, too.
