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San Antonio Spurs: 3 reasons Kawhi Leonard should sign the supermax

By Matt Esposito

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw against the LA Clippers on November 5, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw against the LA Clippers on November 5, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kawhi Leonard trade rumors
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

2.  A future trade is still a possibility

There is a way for Kawhi Leonard to have his cake and eat it too.

From the perspective of the Spurs, it makes sense to extend Leonard this offer even if they know he will want out in a year or two. According to Basketball Insiders, if Leonard were to receive and sign this extension, he would not be trade-eligible until one year after he signs the deal. Take John Wall‘s extension, for example.

Wall inked a similar deal to Leonard’s, but he did so on July 26, 2017. Technically, he becomes trade eligible on July 26 of this year. If Leonard signed a possible extension, he would have to be a Spur for the next season. When this hypothetical extension expires during the summer of 2019, however, Leonard could be traded. This could be ideal for both teams.

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Presumably, the San Antonio Spurs could only stand to benefit from another year with their star. The relationship between the two camps cannot get any worse. In a year, Gregg Popovich could attempt to repair his bond with Leonard. He did something similar with LaMarcus Aldridge. If Leonard still insists on being traded, the Spurs get to send his salary-crippling contract to a competitor.

Leonard has little to risk at all. Sure, he would be legally binded to the Spurs for a year, but in return he gains an extra $30 million in the long haul. His desired location of Los Angeles is not going anywhere, and in a year from now the Lakers will still have the assets to obtain him. Except in this situation, Leonard can join L.A. and still retain his highest possible contract.

Staying with the Spurs for one more season could also have an impact on Leonard’s future legacy. Next year’s offseason will be loaded with marquee, franchise-altering talent. Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Kevin Love all project to be unrestricted free agents.

Could it be wise for Leonard to assess how the NBA landscape changes, and then make a decision from there? For instance, if Irving leaves Boston, would Leonard consider joining Philadelphia? These are all things to consider, as is the final reason for signing a potential extension.

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