It still feels too difficult for a Kawhi Leonard trade to actually materialize for the Boston Celtics
The Kawhi Leonard trade talks continue to intensify, and it was recently reported that the Boston Celtics are one team that have contacted the San Antonio Spurs. It should come as no surprise to see the Celtics closely connected to Leonard, because they are usually nearby any significant trade rumors.
Even if it feels like the Celtics could legitimately be one of the favorites to make a trade for Leonard, it is foolish to invest anything into what is being said, Danny ainge is always looking to find the best possible value, and it is hard to imagine Leonard being cheap enough, no matter what situation he is in.
It is true that the Spurs have no leverage whatsoever, because the sense is that Leonard is not going to play for them again. On top of that, he has one year left on his contract, and is absolutely impossible to trust that he will be coming back after one season.
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It is highly doubtful that Danny Ainge would give up anything significant for a one year rent a player, even if it could make them top championship contenders for that one year. The Celtics have always made their future the priority, so the only way they should seriously be considering Leonard is if it is on the kind of value that another team will be able to top.
At this point, it should be considered a real possibility that the Celtics will try and make something work, but there is still so much in the way of a deal getting done. The Celtics have a core that they believe in, and even if Leonard is the caliber of player that you can break things up for, the situation is too dangerous.
The Celtics are currently built to contend for many years. The Celtics want to keep their window open as long as possible, and trading for Leonard could drastically shorten it, if they gave up a key piece of their core.
The team that the Celtics have assembled absolutely deserves an opportunity to go on their run together. They were robbed because of injuries last season, and the quick and small moves they have been making so far suggest they want to keep it simple and remain in tact this offseason.
Next: the case for Boston to sign LeBron James
If, somehow, the Celtics can get Leonard in a package centered around that Sacramento pick and a collection of other decent assets, then the Celtics just might make a next level super team. Anything short of that, however, and you should expect the Celtics to keep it small in free agency and go into next season with a core of players that are ready to establish something special for many years.