Report: Sixers are only East team Kawhi Leonard would consider

By Connor Tustin, Sports Talk Philly Staff

 While discussing Kawhi Leonard's current situation on ESPN Friday night, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that Kawhi Leonard would only consider one eastern conference team, the Philadelphia 76ers. 


For weeks, trade talk was reportedly buzzing between the Sixers and San Antonio Spurs, but has since died down. Reports have suggested that the Sixers believed the Spurs asking price for Leonard was too high. Philadelphia wants no part of including the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Markelle Fultz, in a package for Leonard. 

Even without including Fultz, dealing players like Robert Covington and Dario Saric, along with multiple future draft picks could be a risky decision considering Leonard's expiring contract. 

On the Spurs side of things, they prefer not to trade Leonard to a Western Conference team, making the Sixers a top candidate to land Leonard.

Leonard's current contract will come to a close following the 2018-2019 season, thus making him a free agent. Multiple reports have stated that Leonard's ideal situation is to be with the Lakers, even before the LeBron James signing. There have also been rumblings around the league that Leonard may attempt to sit out next season if he isn't traded to Los Angeles

Trading for a player of Leonard's caliber should cost a good amount. However, when a player is clearly disgruntled with his current situation and has expressed interest in another organization, how much is too much?  

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