NBA Trade Rumors: Will Suns try to trade No. 1 pick for Kawhi Leonard?

Suns might try to trade No. 1 pick for Kawhi Leonard

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 2, 2018 in New York City. The Spurs defeated the Knicks 100-91. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

As teams consider their best trade offers for Kawhi Leonard, the Phoenix Suns may have one of the best chips to dangle.

Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio, and it’s unclear if the Spurs will oblige. He apparently has his eye on Los Angeles, more specifically the Lakers, even if it means foregoing his right to a five-year, $217 million “supermax” contract by leaving the Spurs.

Multiple teams have been attached to a pursuit of Leonard. Some are realistic (Lakers, Clippers, Celtics, 76ers) and some aren’t (Kings). It’s safe to say the Spurs would rather trade Leonard to the Eastern Conference, as much as they might even be compelled to make the move.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough is expected to “probe” a deal for Leonard involving the No. 1 overall pick in next week’s draft. O’Connor cites last summer’s exploration of trades for Kyrie Irving as a precedent, while suggesting the virtual lock the Suns will take center Deandre Ayton No. 1 overall can be taken away by the idea of trading down or trading for Leonard.

While McDonough has suggested he’ll be more aggressive this offseason, Scott Bordow of the Arizona Republic immediately squashed the idea of parting with the No. 1 pick for Leonard.

The Suns will not, despite what you might have read elsewhere, trade the No. 1 pick for Kawhi Leonard. Not happening.
— scott bordow (@sbordow) June 16, 2018

The Spurs will surely want more than just that first overall pick for Leonard. Some combination of Josh Jackson, T.J. Warren, Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender might get San Antonio’s attention, and one of the expiring contracts of Tyson Chandler or Jared Dudley will have to be included to line up the financial numbers. The Spurs may ask for Devin Booker if trade talks seriously get going, but the Suns have to draw the line there.

The whole situation with Leonard and the Spurs screams “never say never”, and just about every other NBA team can somehow dream about making a deal for arguably the best two-way player in the league (when healthy). The Suns don’t have the depth of immediate assets to make a trade work, and the No. 1 overall pick is a step too far as a starting point.

But If Leonard is willing to commit to Phoenix long-term, and will put a pen to paper to foster the trade, then that would changes things.

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