Kawhi Leonard trade rumors: 7 potential destinations for Spurs star
6. Sacramento Kings
Like the Suns, the Sacramento Kings would have very little chance of convincing Kawhi Leonard to re-sign in 2019 free agency. Unlike the Suns, the Kings are desperate for a franchise star and have been known to make thirsty, shortsighted moves like this in their not-so-distant past.
According to Yahoo! Sports‘ Chris Mannix, they could be a team to watch if the Spurs actually make Leonard available via trade.
Another team to watch in the Kawhi sweepstakes: Sacramento. Kings have talked to teams about the No. 2 pick, per sources, and desperately want an established star.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 15, 2018
This would be extremely shortsighted on the Kings’ part, because there’s no way their current roster would be a playoff team even with Kawhi on board. However, if they were somehow convinced they could keep him, or if they just ignored the signs and went full KANGZ, there are a couple of avenues that might appease the Spurs.
One idea, proposed by The Ringer‘s Bill Simmons, would have the Spurs taking on expiring contracts in Iman Shumpert, Garrett Temple and Kosta Koufos, plus Justin Jackson and the No. 2 pick for Kawhi and the remaining two years Pau Gasol’s inflated deal:
If they gave up 2 and took on Gasol’s contract, Spurs would say yes in 3 seconds. Spurs would get Doncic and cap space. It’s a Hail Mary for the Kings - but again, they’re the Kings! They do stuff like this! pic.twitter.com/a2BUKSiFvp
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) June 15, 2018
That, however, might not be enough for the Spurs, since all they’d be getting outside of cap relief is a mediocre rookie and the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.
Is the Kings really wanted to make things interesting, they could flex on their competition in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes by offering Bogdan Bogdanovic, the No. 2 pick and Skal Labissiere:
Bogdanovic had an impressive rookie year and is the exact kind of foreign prospects the Spurs love. He averaged 11.8 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 39.2 percent from 3-point range in his first NBA season.
Labissiere has only shown flashes, but he has impressive length and athleticism that Popovich could put to good use and he’s still only 22. If the Spurs preferred, they could ask for Willie Cauley-Stein instead of Skal, but Sacramento might resist dealing away their seven-footer and defensive anchor.
Unfortunately, even the Kings might not be foolish enough to part with assets like this if they weren’t sure Leonard would re-sign, and even if they were, there would still be better offers on the table for San Antonio’s star.