Boston Celtics in position to make play for Kawhi Leonard

Is Kawhi worth the risk?

Rewind back to the period after the 2014 NBA Finals and Kawhi Leonard was the newest darling of professional basketball. Just 22 years old, Leonard had led his team of Hall of Fame players in taking down LeBron James and the “Heatles.”

A silent assassin, Kawhi was the guy who didn’t say much. In fact, he rarely would crack a smile. He let his play to the talking, and boy what a player he was blossoming into.

Back to the present day, Leonard is a four-time All-Star, four-time All-NBA Defensive Team member, two-time All-NBA selection and a two-time defensive player of the year. Kawhi will still only be 27 years old when the 2018-19 season tips off, so why the concern?

The frustration was evident throughout the season with Leonard’s increasing absence. The longer the saga drew out, the more speculation was arising. ESPN‘s Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright produced a deeper dive into the long lasting drama between player, medical staff and team, but it still provided no clear answer as to what truly went on.

Spurs coach Gregg Popvich was typically prickly with the media when asked for updates during the season.

"“You’ll have to ask his group,” Popvich would respond."

That hardly speaks to a coach being on the same page as his star player does it?

Late in March, via the same ESPN article, Leonard was asked if he wasn’t playing due to his injury, despite reports suggesting he was medically cleared.

"“I mean, why else would I not be playing?” Kawhi responded."

Of course, Leonard never returned, and his San Antonio Spurs teammates toiled away admirably, but were no match for Golden State in the first round.

Do you think his teammates were bothered by his mysterious absence?

I’m going to go out on a limb here and suggest they weren’t impressed.

With all this drama in mind, and seemingly no concrete answers at hand, there is undoubtedly risk involved in acquiring Kawhi. This is before you even begin to question his health status. He’s played 210 minutes of competitive basketball since he landed on Zaza Pachulia‘s ankle in the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

When on the court, Leonard is an MVP talent, he’s a certified top-five player and a guy you desperately want on your roster. He’s suffocating defensively and smooth as butter offensively.

Under Brad Stevens, the Celtics have fostered a team-first, family environment that everyone has magnificently bought in to. Leonard isn’t a free agent though, and the Celtics would have to part ways with assets to complete any deal with San Antonio, only to worry about Leonard’s free agency the following summer.

Let’s look Leonard’s contract and the possible moving pieces that could be packaged to acquire a man of such talent.