3. Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF, San Antonio Spurs, 2019 UFA)
Kawhi Leonard is normally regarded as a top-5 player in the NBA. Now, that idea might sound preposterous. The emergence of Giannis Antetokounmpo as a prime candidate for a top-3 player in the future has clouded my judgment on Kawhi. Since Cousins’ achilles injury, Anthony Davis rampaged on every defender he faced.
Every single suitor for the summer 2019 or via trade is all based on speculation. Not enough film room creates a true picture of who Kawhi Leonard really is. Gregg Popovich told reporters that we might never see Kawhi in a Spurs uniform this season again.
The upside is still high, however. The media established Leonard as the top two-way talent during his two-year stretch of winning the Defensive Player of the Year. There are too many clips of FOX Sports analyst Skip Bayless commenting on him being better than LeBron James. Is that a stretch? Maybe so. But Leonard’s upside bodes well going forward.
The 2018 Leonard Saga might end with him starting similar to a Kyrie Irving trend. He starts smiling. He comments on altered reality rather than absolute truth (ex. flat earth). Then a trade ensues.
Whatever happens, know that Magic will look into the situation. Let’s hope he doesn’t comment on his basketball talents due to recent “tampering” fines.