Kawhi Leonard Trade: 5 possible Trade Packages for Kawhi Leonard

The Kawhi Leonard saga continues to get more peculiar as time goes by and the likelihood of him staying with the San Antonio Spurs seems to be diminishing with each passing day that he doesn't come back. All the signs point to a potentially bitter break up from the Spurs and Kawhi has even stopped showing up at Spurs home games after that players-only meeting held last month. Recent comments from Coach Pop, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker haven't exactly helped their case either and it seems like the Spurs might be done with him.

With that being said, we decided to look at potential trades for Leonard in the coming offseason. A point to note would be that Kawhi only has a year left on his contract ( he will decline his player option for 2019-20) so the Spurs aren't going to get a King's ransom for him. So remember the trade hauls for Paul George and Jimmy Butler before jumping on me Spurs fans.

Milwaukee Bucks

Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon

Spurs Trade: Kawhi Leonard

Bucks Trade: Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Thon Maker, 2018 or 2019 1st Round Pick

This would be a win-win trade for both parties. The Bucks get a superstar alongside Giannis to form a terrific 1-2 two-way punch which would be a problem for anybody in the league. A starting lineup featuring Giannis, Leonard, Eric Bledsoe and Jabari Parker would elevate the Bucks to a contender in the East and more importantly, it would send a message to Giannis. The Greek Freak has stated that he'd stick around as long as the Bucks keep improving the team and landing one of the top 5 players in the league would be a resounding statement of intent.

As for the Spurs, while this might look like a robbery to some, they get a pretty good haul for a guy in his final year. Middleton is an excellent player who'll only get better playing under a guy like Pop. He's long, can guard multiple positions, is an able playmaker and an excellent shooter. He's currently in the midst of his best year as a pro, averaging 20 points a game and expect him to get better in the coming years. Brogdon offers a solid option at either guard position and with Ginobili and Parker nearing their way out he'd be a better succession plan than they have.

With Maker, Pop gets a shot at molding one of the more unique players in the league today who hasn't quite lived up to the hype at Milwaukee. The Bucks would offer either the 2018 or 19 pick, depending on whether this year's selection goes to Phoenix or not based on the protections.

Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum

Spurs Trade: Kawhi Leonard

Celtics Trade: Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier, Abdel Nader, 2019 1st Round Pick (Kings)

The Celtics don't really need to make this trade but it would fit their timeline in a way if you think about it. Gordon Hayward is 29 next season and Al Horford would be 32, so a win now strategy isn't completely out of the picture. This trade would undoubtedly make Boston the best team in the East and probably by some margin. Depth would be a concern I suppose, but Brad Stevens seems to be able to churn out production from absolute nobodies at this point.

For the Spurs in this deal, they get one of the best young forwards in the league in Tatum and a starting caliber player in Morris. The Kings pick would in all likelihood be top 5 next year and San Antonio can build around Tatum and whoever they draft in 2019.

The catch here, of course, is would Boston want to let Tatum go. Further, they'll be paying max contracts to 4 players in 2 years time if they get Leonard and an extension for Jaylen Brown would come a year later. It might end up being a salary cap disaster.

Phoenix Suns

Josh Jackson

Spurs Trade: Kawhi Leonard

Suns Trade: Josh Jackson, Tyson Chandler, 2018 1st Round Pick

Spurs fans might feel the haul to be underwhelming but it's far from that. Jackson has bounced back from an awful start to the season and has been on a rookie tear off late. The former Kansas man is averaging 21.8 Points, 5.8 Rebounds, 2.7 Assists and 2 Steals over his last 12 games.

The 2018 Suns pick is in all likelihood going to be a top 3 pick if not the very 1st and this is one of the best draft classes we've seen in a long time. Getting two high-end prospects for a guy in the final year of his deal would be a coup for San Antonio.

Meanwhile, the Suns have been in rebuild mode forever and trading for Leonard will finally be the way out. They tried to acquire Kyrie Irving last summer but balked at the prospect of giving up Jackson. Phoenix would probably be more willing with Leonard, who is undoubtedly a better player. Pairing Kawhi alongside Devin Booker would give Phoenix some terrific wing play, but the question is what else?

They'd still be lacking in every other area and the likelihood of them landing a top free agent is pretty low. Would Kawhi bolt after next season if it doesn't work out? That'd be the cause for pause for the Suns in this deal.

Los Angeles Lakers

Brandon Ingram

Spurs Trade: Kawhi Leonard

Lakers Trade: Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac, 2018 1st Round Pick (Cavaliers)

The Los Angeles Lakers probably wouldn't want to give up both Ingram and Kuzma but there isn't a whole lot else they can offer at this point. Adding Leonard does soften the blow for sure though for a Lakers franchise that has been yearning for a superstar for a while now. The addition would also tempt more free agents to consider LA as a destination and might be the final push that Paul George needs to join them, as the Oklahoma City Thunder have underwhelmed thus far.

From a Spurs perspective, they get two talented young forwards and I think Brandon Ingram, in particular, will flourish with San Antonio. He's shown in his second year why the Lakers took him 2nd overall last season with his excellent all-around offensive game, even taking over playmaking responsibilities when Lonzo Ball was out. Kyle Kuzma, on the other hand, is just instant offense, whether starting or off the bench and Ivica Zubac has shown flashes of brilliance in his short stint with the Lakers.

I think this trade would work out for both sides. The Spurs get two guys, who while young can contribute straight away and the Lakers land a megastar after a long time who can help them get another.

Philadelphia 76ers

Markelle Fultz

Spurs Trade: Kawhi Leonard

Sixers Trade: Markelle Fultz, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, 2018 1st Round Pick (Lakers)

The Process has reached its final stage and the Philadelphia 76ers are where they imagined they'd be when they started this whole thing 5 years back, on the cusp of greatness. The question is would they go all in now. Trading away Fultz a year after they jumped up in the draft would be unlikely but they should do it for Leonard.

With all the talk around LeBron joining Philly, I think Leonard would be a much better fit. He can play off the ball which helps Ben Simmons and is an excellent defender. Good luck scoring against a team which has Joel Embiid, Leonard, Robert Covington, and Simmons. Trading Bayless would mean they'd also have the cap space next season to go after someone like Avery Bradley to make things tougher for the rest of the league.

For the Spurs, they get Fultz who has shown flashes since coming back as to why he was the consensus number 1 pick last year. Dario Saric would be a great fit in San Antonio. He's the typical stretch 4 and is a good passer, something which Pop values a lot. They'll have to take on Bayless's expiring contract, but getting Saric and Fultz along with a top 10 pick would more than makeup for it.