As the drama around San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard and the organization stretch towards another month, it appears reality is setting in for some teams. The hope they once had for landing the All-Star forward is gone.
According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have reportedly given up hope of landing the forward from San Antonio.
.@WindhorstESPN says don't count out Kawhi to the Raptors.
(via @ZachLowe_NBA's The Lowe Post podcast) pic.twitter.com/p1RB4u3de6
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 17, 2018
Both Los Angeles and Philadelphia showed real interest in landing Leonard earlier this offseason. However, Philadelphia didn’t want to part with its young stars for a one-year rental. Meanwhile, the Lakers started showing no sense of urgency once they landed LeBron James.
If both teams are indeed out on a pursuit of Leonard, that realistically leaves Toronto as the main option left. According to the report, the Raptors are in the driver’s seat to land the star forward.