The San Antonio Spurs’ 99-91 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series officially ended a tumultuous campaign for the five-time NBA champion. Now that the Spurs’ season is finally over, everyone’s eyes shift on the imminent meeting between franchise player Kawhi Leonard and the Spurs’ top brass.

Leonard, a two-time All-NBA first team member, is eligible for a $219 million, five-year super-max extension this summer. Prior to the season, the Spurs star was considered a lock to sign that massive contract, but things took a drastic turn when he was diagnosed with a strained quad injury.

Quad injury ruined Spurs season

Kawhi’s injury wasn’t supposed to be serious but he still missed training camp and the first two-and-half months of the season before making his return in December. After appearing in nine games, Leonard was again taken out of the rotation because of a lingering pain in the same quad area. Trying to avoid further damage in the injury, the Spurs allowed Leonard to have a second opinion from a specialist in New York and resume his rehabilitation there.

However, Leonard never played another game despite the fact that the Spurs were fighting for a postseason spot. Reports of a growing disconnect between Leonard’s camp and the Spurs organization surfaced, putting the first-class sports franchise in an odd situation.

Kawhi, who is supposed to be the heir-apparent to Tim Duncan as the face of the Spurs for the next eight to ten years, heads into the summer as a potential trade candidate especially if his contract negotiations with the Spurs end in futility. Multiple teams are already lining up in case he hits trading block, including big-market teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

The exodus of more Spurs players?

But Kawhi isn’t the only player who could leave San Antonio this summer. There’s a growing concern that the Spurs might also lose some of their core players. Some of the names are already immortalized in the Spurs lore, names like Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Danny Green.

Ginobili hasn’t made any announcement about his future plans but the former Sixth Man of the Year winner is already 41-years-old and retiring is certainly an option.

Green can opt out of his contract, giving other teams a chance at bidding for the service of a proven shooter with championship pedigree.

Parker will also hit unrestricted free agency at the age of 36. Coming off his worst statistical season (7.7 points and 3.5 assists in 19 minutes per game), the Frenchman has to accept a bargain deal this time around if he wants to continue playing with the Spurs. Parker, who viewed himself retiring after his 20th NBA season, stressed that staying in San Antonio remains the No.1 option. However, the former NBA Finals MVP doesn’t rule out taking his talent elsewhere if that presents a better opportunity.

Rudy Gay also has a player option for next season worth $8.8 million. Moreover, the Spurs will have to decide which from their current crop of young restricted free agents (Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans and Bryan Forbes) they would keep for next season.
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