San Antonio Spurs 'Will Match Any Offer' For Kawhi Leonard

The San Antonio Spurs have made it known its future lies in the giant hands of Kawhi Leonard, and they have every intention of keeping him despite electing not extending his contract.

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The San Antonio Spurs did not extend Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, thus allowing him to become a restricted free agent after the season. However, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, they have no intention of letting him get away.

Leonard will certainly be a max-contract player when he signs his next deal and the Spurs will give him the money. They decided not to extend him in order to save nearly $8 million now rather than give it to him nine months before they have to.

Doing it this way gives SAS chance to be player in free agency if, say, they need to replace Timmy or Manu. They'll match any offer to Kawhi
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 1, 2014

As Stein further explains, this strategy does have its risks. Like we saw with the Houston Rockets’ dealings with Chandler Parsons, if Kawhi signs a short-term max it could pressure the Spurs to match quickly.

If Duncan and/or Ginobili retire and San Antonio is in the midst of dealing with another high-price free agent (such as how the Rockets were negotiating with Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony before matching Parsons) it could put a deadline pressure on the Spurs to get something done.

By now, the Spurs have more than proven they know what the heck they are doing. Fans should have faith that Kawhi will remain in San Antonio for many more years.

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San Antonio Spurs ‘Will Match Any Offer’ For Kawhi Leonard

By Wes Goldberg | Oct 31, 2014

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