Kawhi Leonard, Spurs could struggle over contract
By Bryan Rose
The San Antonio Spurs obviously want to re-sign Kawhi Leonard and the feeling from the small forward appears to be mutual, assuming the dollar amount is right. But what is that correct dollar amount? That’s likely to be the problem moving forward.
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A restricted free agent at season end, Kawhi Leonard is going to cash in and according to Basketball Insiders, it’s likely going to command a max-level offer to keep the former San Diego State product in the Alamo. Of course, the San Antonio Spurs didn’t get to where they are by giving out overly absurd contracts.
That’s not to say that Kawhi Leonard isn’t worthy of such a deal, but the Spurs have a history of playing things close to their vest with financials and some wonder if he’ll be able to get those type of funds from the Spurs.
"Can you say max offer? That’s what it’s going to take to get Kawhi Leonard signed this summer and that number seems a little unlikely considering the only player the Spurs have ever given the max to was Tim Duncan. That’s not to say that the reigning Finals MVP isn’t worth it, especially consider what guys like Gordon Hayward and Chandler Parsons got."
The Spurs could squash all free agent talk if they were to agree on a contract extension before the offseason, however, that may not be the best financial situation for the franchise. What they’d likely be better served doing is letting Leonard receive an offer in restricted free agency and matching it. Granted, there’s always the small risk such a move could backfire, though that remains unlikely.