On Sunday, shockwaves were sent through the NBA as the biggest free agent of the summer made his decision. Now former Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James will reportedly sign a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. With that, another major star has made a decision on a team for next year, and that team is not the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the team still has a chance at landing Kawhi Leonard via a trade with the San Antonio Spurs.
According to NBC 10 Philadelphia, a trade package was discussed with the Spurs for Leonard. That deal included Sixers players Dario Saric and Robert Covington along with the Miami Heat’s 2021 first round draft pick that Philadelphia owns. That proposed trade package was first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer. It’s unclear what else the Spurs want, but apparently they may want more than a few future draft picks in a deal for Leonard.
Yahoo Sports Insider and analyst tweeted on Sunday evening that the Spurs asked the Sixers for two players and three first-round draft picks. The names of those two players involved in the deal were not mentioned. It was reported by various sources that Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Markelle Fultz were not being offered in any trades, though. Those players continue to make up the core of a young and talented Sixers squad.
The Sixers not only lost out on LeBron James in free agency, but also Paul George. The Oklahoma City Thunder star decided to sign for another four years with the Thunder. It was the first major move announced for NBA free agency just as Sunday arrived. However, Leonard has been mentioned as a target for the team, although it requires a serious trade to make it happen.
The general perception right now is that Kawhi Leonard is intent on eventually heading to the Los Angeles Lakers. If the San Antonio Spurs won’t trade him there, he’ll have to wait one more season until he officially becomes an NBA free agent. Even if he’s traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN NBA report tweeted that several people with Philadelphia are confident Leonard would re-sign with the team next summer.
Regardless of what happens with Philadelphia, they appear to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference along with the Boston Celtics. That seems to become even more apparent with the departure of LeBron James for the Western Conference which looks more competitive than ever.
