Fansided

5 potential trade scenarios for Kawhi Leonard

By Brad Berreman

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 02, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 02, 2018 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Issac Baldizon-Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Issac Baldizon-Getty Images /

4. Miami Heat

Pat Riley would surely love to find another star who is in his prime and bring them to South Beach, so a significant trade offer for Leonard can’t be ruled out. Miami does not own its first-round pick this year, so a potential deal with San Antonio starts with their first-rounder in 2019.

The Heat can swing a deal for Leonard without gutting its roster. Point guard Goran Dragic would be hard to part with after another very good season (17.3 points 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game; 37 percent from 3-point range), but he is getting up in age (32 on May 6) and his contract status is exactly the same as Leonard’s.

The most noteworthy thing Justise Winslow has done so far in his career is, with clear intent, step on Joel Embiid’s facemask during the just-completed playoff series against the 76ers. But the 2015 lottery pick (No. 10 overall) is still very young (22), can play both forward spots and he bumped his percentage from beyond the arc up to 38 percent this season. If you close one eye, you might see shades of Leonard in Winslow.

Dragic, Winslow and a 2019 first-round pick might be enough to get the Spurs’ attention on Leonard. If it’s not, adding another future first-round pick or young big man Bam Adebayo to the deal might get it done.

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