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San Antonio Spurs: 25 Best Players To Play For The Spurs

By Phil Watson

Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; A general view of the AT&T center before the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

29. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Indiana Pacers, June 23, 2011.. SF. 2011-16. Kawhi Leonard. 4. player

The San Antonio Spurs made a pretty good deal on draft night in June 2011, acquiring the rights to 15th overall pick Kawhi Leonard, second-round pick Davis Bertans and 2005 second-round selection Erazem Lorbek from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for George Hill.

Leonard had been an All-American at San Diego State as a sophomore, averaging more than 15 points and 10 rebounds per game before turning pro.

SAS_04_LEONARD
SAS_04_LEONARD /

He was an All-Rookie selection for the Spurs in 2011-12, was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2014-15 and was the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.

Leonard led the NBA in steals in 2014-15.

In 2015-16, Leonard added a second Defensive Player of the Year award, while also earning his first All-NBA nod and All-Star Game berth. He was third in the league in three-point shooting and was second in the MVP voting.

On the season, Leonard averaged 21.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33.1 minutes per game on .506/.443/.874 shooting.

He’s also played in a pair of NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

In the 2013 Finals, Leonard averaged 14.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and two steals in 36.5 minutes per game, shooting .513/.348/12-for-17 in a seven-game loss to Miami.

But the following year, he averaged 17.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, two assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks in 33.4 minutes per game, shooting .612/11-for-19/.783 in the Spurs’ five-game win over the Heat.

In five seasons in San Antonio, Leonard has averaged 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.9 minutes per game, shooting .499/.391/.828.

He signed a five-year, $94 million deal in July 2015 with a player option for the final season in 2019-20.

Next: Virginia’s Loss Of Iceman Was San Antonio’s Gain

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