Many NBA experts expected Kawhi Leonard to be the MVP for 2017/2018 NBA season, but that won't happen and might never happen for Leonard in a San Antonio Spurs uniform. Now an ESPN report has surfaced and states that Kawhi is discontent with how the Spurs' organization has been handling his rehab from his lingering quad injury, and Jalen Rose went as far as to say that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio on ESPN's First Take. Kawhi has surprisingly only played nine games this season. Is there a future for Leonard with the Spurs?

The mystical Spurs and the submissive Klaw

The premise by many analysts was that while the other main candidates for MVP, Westbrook, Harden, James, Durant, and Curry, would have to share the spotlight with other notable stars, Kawhi Leonard would have to carry the San Antonio Spurs on his back more than ever if they wanted to continue to be successful. Westbrook is surely having to share the ball and some points with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony,

Harden is doing the same at times alongside Chris Paul, LeBron is 33 and has a deeper roster than ever, and Durant and Curry have continued to co-lead the Warriors together. However, what was not accounted for was Kawhi playing only nine games so far and the Spurs remaining very successful without him.

They have only recently fallen to the fourth spot in the loaded West.

With the Western Conference being stronger than ever because of the emergence of great teams like OKC, Rockets, Timberwolves, and Pelicans, the Spurs will have to remain cautious and avoid plummeting in the standings. Leonard is their only hope. LaMarcus Aldridge is awfully inconsistent and has failed to show up during the big moments of the season.

Tony Parker is still not one hundred percent, and at age 35 he seems to not have much left to give. Pau Gasol is 37 years old and can only very productive sporadically throughout the season. All eyes will continue to be on The Klaw if he is healthy and the Spurs let him play.

Can Kawhi Leonard fulfill his potential with the Spurs?

When is the last time a player under Gregg Popovich averaged something close to 30 points or 10 assists a game? You will not be able to find a name. Pop's system demands that everyone put their egos aside and buy into a system that puts the team first. Ball movement is crucial for Popovich; consequently, there is little room for individual/isolation offense.

The last Spur to win MVP was Tim Duncan in the 2001-2002 season when he averaged 25.5 points, and the 2002-2003 season when he averaged 23.3 points. It took arguably the best power forward in NBA history to get an MVP under Popovich. In addition, the Spurs were more of an inside-out game and played a lot through Duncan.

Today, the star of the team is the team.

Kawhi Leonard put up 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a game last season, and he has only improved every season in the league. At age 26, the small forward is only entering his prime, so there is no reason to not believe that he will continue to improve. However, given how the Spurs function, we might never see the best version of the Klaw.

In addition, he is not the greatest of passers or a natural playmaker, so that somewhat hurts his ability to lead a Spurs team that always counts on the ball to move. Thus, he would probably shine more in an offensive system that allowed him to have more liberty. He would probably average better numbers and have better chances at the MVP award.

Kawhi Leonard also perfectly represents what the San Antonio Spurs are about and why they have been the best NBA organization in the last 20 years. Like Duncan, Leonard is a silent superstar that lets his game do the talking and makes sure that the team's interest comes before his.

This kind of approach will usually not bring one an MVP, but it will usually bring success to one's team, especially if one is the team's best player and is demanded to set an example. But if Leonard wants more recognition, he will have to let his ego come out and shine, and who knows if that is possible with the Spurs?

The Spurs and Popovich are notoriously overly cautious and secretive about players' injuries, but the little information we have on Kawhi Leonard's status raises many questions, and, according to recent reports, he might have questions and doubts of his own.

Hopefully, Leonard will not miss many more games and can quickly get back to his usual form. If not, it will be difficult for him to suddenly find his usual form and take the Spurs far into the NBA playoffs.
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