Rumours: The Lakers are preparing to "go hard" for Kawhi Leonard via trade

What's the story?

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News is reporting on the latest rumor in the ongoing saga of San Antonio Spurs' superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.

Several teams are preparing to put a trade package together for Leonard, but one team, in particular, is going really try and that is the Los Angeles Lakers.

In case you didn't know...

Leonard last played for the Spurs on January 13th in a game against the Denver Nuggets. Due to the quad injury, he's been limited to only appearances in nine games this season.

The heart of the matter...

One NBA executive told Deveney that the Lakers are prepared to "go in hard" for Leonard via trade.

With the reports of a strained relationship between Leonard and the Spurs, teams are attempting to make a deal.

Reports the day before stated the Spurs are not there yet when it comes to decided to trade away Leonard. The key word here being "yet".

A trade for Leonard would most likely mean the Lakers would have to deal away young stars like Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. If the Lakers feel like they can wait for Leonard in free agency in 2019, they won't part with them.

There is still time for the Spurs and Leonard to work out their differences as San Antonio decides on whether or not they should offer him the supermax contract offer of $200 million over six years that Leonard is going to be eligible for in the latest collective bargaining agreement.

What's next?

The Spurs have more immediate matters to attend to as they attempt to stay out of a 3-0 hole against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening.

They will have to play game three without head coach Gregg Popovich whose wife passed away on Wednesday.

Author's take...

First off, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich who lost his wife Erin to a lengthy illness.

As I stated in my article yesterday, I think there is irreparable damage in the relationship between the Spurs and Leonard.

I just don't see them wanting to give Leonard max money after only playing nine games last season, but at the same time other teams may look at the situation and believe that he could have played more games and is worth the risk.