The Sixer Sense
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Examining the risks of a potential Kawhi Leonard trade

By Morty Silvercarp

SAN ANTONIO,TX - DECEMBER 18 : Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs sits on the bench late in second quarter during game against the Los Angeles Clippers at AT&T Center on December 18, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO,TX - DECEMBER 18 : Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs sits on the bench late in second quarter during game against the Los Angeles Clippers at AT&T Center on December 18, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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Kawhi Leonard could be the superstar to transform the Philadelphia 76ers into a title contender, but the situation involves a variety of uncertainties.

With NBA free agency coming to a close, the Kawhi Leonard saga is the last domino to fall this offseason. The Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Toronto Raptors have all been rumored to be significantly interested in acquiring Leonard.

While trading for a superstar of Kawhi’s caliber may seem like a no-brainer, Leonard comes with a lot of baggage. This statement would have sounded crazy two years ago when Kawhi maintained an image as a no-nonsense, hard-working quiet guy. However, Kawhi’s recent injury issues have led to a rift between himself and the Spurs organization.

In the 2016-17 Western Conference Finals, Kawhi Leonard landed on Zaza Pachulia’s foot, re-aggravating his right quadriceps. Since this injury, Kawhi has played in nine games, averaging 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23 minutes per game. In those games, Kawhi was certainly effective, but his knee was giving him problems.

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According to Peter Vescey, “he was scared about blowing it out. He saw what happened to Isaiah Thomas when he played in pain for Boston in the playoffs. He got reduced to damaged goods.”

For the rest of the Spurs season, Kawhi reportedly told the Spurs multiple times that he would return for a specific game, but would then sit out. Clearly, the Spurs’ players and coaches became annoyed with this and tension continued to mount.

The Sixers, however, have a unique advantage in regards to Kawhi’s medical information. Last week, Adrian Wojnarowski said the Sixers might actually know more about Kawhi’s injury than the Spurs.

“Philly is unique because one of their primary team physicians was the doctor that Kawhi went to for a second opinion in New York,” Wojnarowski said. “It is very conceivable that Philly has more medical knowledge of Kawhi Leonard than the Spurs do because their doctors had more access to him.”

The doctor Woj is talking about is Dr. Jonathan Glasgow, who has “professional relationships” with both the 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, according to ESPN. Glasgow gives the Sixers a huge advantage in the Leonard sweepstakes, as they should now have some clarity on a situation that continues to become more confusing.

Would Kawhi re-sign in Philly?

Almost every report since the Kawhi trade rumors began has insisted that Kawhi would prefer to play in Los Angeles, whether that be the Lakers or the Clippers. However, ESPN’s Chris Haynes added some clarity to Leonard’s reported wishes. “He will consider Philly. That’s the only Eastern Conference team he would consider if they’re able to put a package together,” Haynes reported on The Jump.

Kawhi’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, has become increasingly involved in Kawhi’s business decisions. Kawhi recently turned down a 4-year $20 million offer from Jordan Brand, which suggests he is looking to play in a bigger market and earn a larger offer.

Uncle Dennis seemingly convinced Kawhi that the San Antonio Spurs have been too controlling. On Tom Haberstroh’s Back To Back podcast, Michael C. Wright told some new stories about Kawhi Leonard’s management.

According to Wright, Kawhi’s personal medical team took over control of his rehab in August 2017. Earlier in the year, it was generally understood by the NBA community that Spurs doctors were with Leonard in New York during his rehab, but Wright tells a different story. Spurs doctors apparently had no influence on Kawhi’s recovery. On one occasion, Kawhi’s team actually hid him in a different part of the building when San Antonio employees wanted to check in on him in New York.

These stories add another layer of mystery to Leonard’s current situation. Figuring out Kawhi’s end game here is puzzling. Kawhi’s desire to play in a bigger market is sensible, but by doing that, he’d be leaving a $219 million “super-max” extension on the table. While that contract hasn’t officially been offered by the Spurs yet, we can assume that it would be available if Leonard didn’t request a trade.

On one hand, it seems reasonable to believe that Kawhi wanted to sit out the entire season to make sure he was fully recovered. After all, he is only 27 years old with a long career ahead. Maybe this decision caused tension within the Spurs organization, and they felt Kawhi owed it to his teammates to suit up and try to take down the Warriors. It could be possible Kawhi interpreted some comments from his teammates and coaches the wrong way, and now he doesn’t feel welcome.

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The other side of the story is a lot darker. Maybe Uncle Dennis, who is essentially Kawhi’s manager, is trying to grow his own business by moving Kawhi to a larger market and potentially attract more clients.

Why else would Uncle Dennis want to move Kawhi away from San Antonio when the Spurs are the only team that could offer him the super max? Every other agent in the league is aiming to get their client signed to a deal like this. Add Kawhi’s recent injury struggles to the situation, and they have even more reason to lock down a giant, long-term contract for security.

The most logical story I can draw up (which is mostly speculation) would be the following: Kawhi (and Uncle Dennis) felt the Spurs doctors were rushing him back. Kawhi’s camp decided they will control the rehab on their own in New York, which alienated the entire Spurs organization from their franchise player.

After months of being kept in the dark, Spurs coaches and players started to feel that Kawhi was never coming back, so they held a players-only meeting to try to convince Kawhi to return to the court. Kawhi interpreted their comments as questioning his integrity, and maybe Uncle Dennis encouraged Kawhi to think for himself rather than give in to the organization’s wishes. Now, the relationship is “irreparable” and San Antonio is waiting for a sufficient trade package.

Sorting out this story is necessary in order to determine the likelihood of Kawhi re-signing with Philadelphia. Maybe he would be happier in a bigger market with a team that has a realistic path to the finals. Maybe his management team is actually insane and they think every NBA franchise is out to get them.

Either way, I think it is clear that his management team has consistently made head-scratching decisions for their client. Uncle Dennis and the boys seem to be extremely uncooperative, and the 76ers will have to determine if they can convince Kawhi to stay in Philly long-term.

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Given the bright, infectious culture Brett Brown has built with the 76ers, it’s become hard to imagine a player coming to Philadelphia and actually wanting to leave. Kawhi would be a seamless fit into this team’s core of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. As long as Brett Brown makes Kawhi’s satisfaction a top priority, it seems very realistic Kawhi would want to stay in Philadelphia. The question is whether Uncle Dennis and co. would feel the same way.