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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: Nathaniel S. Butler- Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Nathaniel S. Butler- Getty Images /

1. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets have been in the middle ground where no one wants to be in the NBA. Not good enough to make the playoffs regularly (or make a deep run when they do get there), and not bad enough to have lottery fortune put them in position to get a franchise-changing star. Some of that blame can go on former GM Rich Cho and the litany of bad contracts he orchestrated. But former Lakers’ general manager Mitch Kupchak is coming in as president and general manager now, with full autonomy from owner Michael Jordan to make changes.

Trade rumors surfaced surrounding Hornets point guard Kemba Walker at this year’s trade deadline, ahead of the final year of his contract next season. That speculation is sure to surface again during the offseason, and Kupchak’s biggest step to accelerating a rebuild is probably to move Walker.

But a move to acquire Leonard would be as big as it would be unexpected. As with all of these deals, Charlotte’s first-round pick this year would be the starting point in talks. Swingman Jeremy Lamb is coming off the best season of his career (12.9 points per game; 37 percent from beyond the arc), and with one year left on his contract his trade value may never be higher.

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The Hornets are one of the only teams that can offer a star player in his prime to the Spurs for Leonard. A useful piece like Lamb can be added to make the money work, and a lottery pick would stand alongside Walker as the main assets headed to San Antonio.

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