The Boston Celtics are reportedly set to make an offer to restricted free agent and current San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard at the end of the season.
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The discussion over Leonard’s future is arguably completely irrelevant as there is little chance that the Spurs will allow him to walk away at the end of this season.
San Antonio have the ability to match any offer that he receives this summer, and so although they couldn’t agree to a contract extension last year, the reigning NBA Finals MVP will likely remain where he is as he is expected to lead the franchise into a new era.
With both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili reaching the end of their respective careers, coach Gregg Popovich will need a young superstar to rebuild around, and Leonard certainly fits the bill.
However, that won’t put the Celtics off from at least making an offer, and it would certainly be a good fit for them in landing a player of Leonard’s calibre to add to their already formidable defense and it makes sense to at least enquire about the possibility.
“Kawhi Leonard said he is 100 percent healthy again, giving the Spurs their most versatile player back for the stretch run. Leonard will be a restricted free agent this summer and will receive his share of offer sheets, likely including one from the Celtics. Boston coach Brad Stevens gushed about Leonard’s defensive prowess,” the Boston Globe reported.
Coupled with the upcoming salary cap rise, San Antonio will likely give Leonard a max-level contract and so Boston may well be forced to look elsewhere in the free agency market to upgrade their roster options.
The 23-year-old has a huge role to play for the Spurs moving forward, so don’t expect him to be playing anywhere else any time soon.
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