3 reasons the San Antonio Spurs are better off without Kawhi Leonard
![Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/da09855d205467caa75634e2265fab1b7e443311041903902c9c9d46e7da8e07.jpg)
3. It’s time to rebuild
I mean, who are we kidding here? The West is brutally strong right now. The Golden State Warriors guard the gates to the Finals with the best starting five we have ever seen, and every playoff-calibre team below them is dangerous.
Chris Paul and James Harden will run it back with the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook and Paul George have unfinished business in Oklahoma City, and the dark horse teams like the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans are only getting stronger.
Oh, and I almost forgot. LeBron James is in the West now too.
I love the Spurs, but anyone who thinks they are going to be competitive in the West next season needs a dose of reality. They have a point guard who can’t score, an All-Star who can’t stay healthy, two aging big men and Danny Green, who hits 3s sometimes.
Jokes aside, it really is time for a rebuild in San Antonio. Even with a healthy Leonard, the Spurs would only have a shot at making the playoffs because they have the best coach in the league and teams in the East roll over and die against any nine-man roster.
Ideally, the Spurs would rebuild around Leonard. However, given that he has made it no secret he does not wish to remain a Spur, this is not an option. It’s a shame to lose him, but the silver lining is that he will fetch a great price. If the Spurs can get some talented young players and draft picks out of him, it will be a great situation and they will be setting themselves up for future success.