Former NBA point guard Nate Robinson made a startling revelation about San Antonio Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard. On his podcast "HOLDAT," Robinson revealed that Leonard “doesn’t want to be in San Antonio no more.” According to what he’s heard from “a little birdie," Robinson said Leonard doesn’t want to suit up for San Antonio and wants to play for a team that is closer to home, which is California. “Believe you me, he definitely wants to be somewhere especially like being at home,” Robinson insisted. The former playmaker has a point, as the relationship between Leonard and the Spurs has suffered due to his quad injury ordeal.
Leonard has been hounded by quad issues since the preseason, playing just nine regular-season games before he was sidelined indefinitely by the Spurs. Recently, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported that Leonard has been medically cleared to play, but the All-Star forward refused to suit up as he is having discomfort in his squad. Last month, Leonard was expected to make his return against the New Orleans Pelicans, but it did not happen. The injury also caused a divide between Leonard and the Spurs as the forward opted to seek outside help instead of relying on the team’s medical staff.
Spurs urged Leonard to return
Recently, reports surfaced that some Spurs players, led by Tony Parker, confronted Leonard and compelled him to return to action to help the team in their playoff push.
However, Leonard told his teammates that he’s not confident enough to play despite being cleared by team doctors. Parker also took a jab at Leonard, saying his quad injury was 100 percent worse compared to the All-Star forward, but he trusted the team doctors to do their job. “I’ve been through it. It was a rehab for me for eight months.
Same kind of injury as Kawhi but mine was a hundred times worse,” said Parker, who has played in 50 games this season, averaging almost 20 minutes of action. Head coach Gregg Popovich, for his part, said Leonard will return if “he and his group feel he’s ready.” Leonard is currently undergoing rehab in New York.
Lakers, Clippers might trade for Leonard
According to Matt Burke of Metro US, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers might make a move on Leonard in the offseason. The Lakers have enough salary cap room to accommodate a maximum contract for Leonard if they acquire him via trade. The Clippers, for their part, can create salary cap room for Leonard if they trade current stars DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams. While Leonard is interested in playing for a California team, Burke said the Boston Celtics could be very much in play for Leonard, as they have pieces that can entice the Spurs to agree to a trade, including young players Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.
