Kawhi Leonard: Next year’s message: Say something!

We provide some ideas for Kawhi Leonard next offseason after the debacle that surrounded him this offseason.

Kawhi Leonard is easily one of the top five players in the world when healthy. I believe that Leonard IS the best player in the world. He can score 40 points on any given night, shooting a high percentage with an efficiency, that makes offensive coaches drool.

On the defensive end, Kawhi Leonard can lock down the opposing team’s best player without compromising his own team’s concept. When it’s all said and done. Leonard is the most complete player in the NBA.

Only one problem…

The man just does not talk. I mean the man really does not talk.

The NBA offseason has been filled with the most drama in recent memory.

Was it because of LeBron James leaving Cleveland (Like again?)to come to Los Angeles? Umm…no. It was a foregone conclusion for almost everyone in the NBA. Even the Cavs were prepared for his departure.

Was it because of Carmelo Anthony and his colossal failure and an uncertain future? Nope. A first-round exit from the Oklahoma City Thunder, coupled with a $73 million dollar luxury tax bill made his future quite predictable.

These two stories don’t even compare to the ongoing drama of Kawhi Leonard demanding a trade out of San Antonio (and a desire to go to Los Angeles…), basically ignoring every attempt the Spurs made to reconcile the injury controversy that dogged Leonard and the franchise the entire year.

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Look, this is not about regurgitating every single story that was written covering the injuries, the drama and the quotes that were released to the media.

This is about Kawhi Leonard and what he needs to do IF HE REALLY wants to be a Laker.

We have the strangest scenario about a star athlete falling out with his team in a very long time. Maybe even ever. Why…

Because this man does not talk.

Communication is important to any relationship. Marriage, work, even sports. What people loved about Kawhi, being quiet, workman-like, is going to burn him playing in a top two market for one of the most storied franchises in NBA history.

Yes.. that would be the Los Angeles Lakers!

It’s been a good little while since the big trade bringing Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. Kawhi Leonard released a statement…to the Spurs.

In a tweet, courtesy of Yahoo! Sports’ Shams Charania, Leonard thanked the fans, his former teammates and his ex-coach, Gregg Popovich.

It reads…

"San Antonio,I have been going back and forth the last few weeks trying to figure out the right things to say, and it comes down to two simple words: THANK YOU!My family and I want to say THANK YOU to the entire Spurs organization and the people and fans of San Antonio.THANK YOU to every one of my teammates I’ve played with over my seven years in the NBA.THANK YOU Pop, I’ll always be grateful for my growth under your guidance.THANK YOU to the fans! There is not a more passionate or dedicated fan base than what I’ve witnessed in San Antonio.Through all of the ups and downs — I’m glad there were many more ups! — I’ll never forget what we have shared and accomplished together.While I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career, I’ll always remember the city and the people of San Antonio.THANK YOU!Kawhi Leonard"

The one thing about silence and not expressing your feelings is that if you don’t, somebody will do it for you. Especially in Los Angeles, Tinseltown, Hollywood, The City of Dreams!

There never was a clear understanding of Leonard’s injury status or when he was ever to come back from his quad injury. Obviously, the communications had broken down. Sure the Spurs have to take some blame, but so does Kawhi. So with so many questions floating around, people starting talking.

On San Antonio’s side, it was Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli, Gregg Popovich. On the other side, all we would get was constant reports from numerous sources quoting Kawhi’s camp. San Antonio may have made some mistakes but they tried to make amends. They made enough amends for a letter to be written by Leonard. Or did he?

This will not fly in LA. Now that LeBron James has taken his talents west instead of south, man, the media circus will crazy for you. Silence is not going to be an option. Someone will have an opinion…

Now check out Jay Williams’s quote on ESPN’s Get Up!…Williams doesn’t even think Leonard wrote the letter!

"“I honestly don’t feel like Kawhi wrote that,” Williams said. “It’s like ‘hey team, Let’s find some way to smooth this thing over.’ And we talk a lot about athletes being authentic to who they are…I don’t think that Kawhi.”“In a way, I wish he wouldn’t have said anything—because that’s who Kawhi is.” Williams said. “He really doesn’t really say anything. And that’s fine, just let your play prove or dictate how you feel on the court. But that wasn’t Kawhi.”This is a red flag if you are Los Angeles Lakers fan. No, check that, this is sounding alarms, red flags and ordering a “Code Red”. Quietly Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka and Jeannie Buss are planning the future of the franchise around Kawhi Leonard."

I get it…What in the world is Ronald Agers talking about? The franchise is built around LeBron James for the future.

No. Lake Show Lifers, think about it.

James is entering his 16th year in the NBA. There has to be some decline somewhere in LeBron’s future. Kawhi Leonard is in his prime. If the two play together in the next two to three years, LeBron will take most of the media attention. That would be to Kawhi’s benefit.

What about after LeBron retires?

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Haynes have gone on record reporting that Leonard was not enthusiastic about the trade to the Raptors, instead, wanting to play in his hometown in Los Angeles with the Lakers. Something that the Spurs made clear was not going to happen.

Are you seeing the trend here?

This is not San Antonio. Leonard was the best player, but the franchise had such mystique playing under Gregg Popovich and the “system” that they ran, Leonard was a cog in the machine. The Spurs gave Leonard a platform to shine and be himself. The “Spurs Way” allowed that.

Now if Kawhi Leonard comes to Los Angeles, he will eventually have to change the way he has conducted himself. He’s going to be eventually the franchise player. He will be the reason why the fans are coming to the arenas. There is a responsibility tied to that position. Talking to media happens to be near the top of the list.

Kawhi Leonard needs to do himself, the fans and even the Lakers a favor if he decides to come to Laker Land next year… TALK!