After Kawhi Leonard requested a trade from San Antonio, he went on to win his second championship in 2019. Circulating rumors have suggested a reunion. But can “The Claw” return to San Antonio? And more importantly, does he even want to come back?
In 2018, after a season in which the star sat out most of the year, Leonard went on the move to Toronto. Although it isn’t clear what happened behind the scenes, it was clear that Leonard’s relationship with the Spurs had been deteriorating since his injury in the 2017 playoffs. Now, many have suggested the unthinkable: Leonard, who still deals with injury problems, returns to the team that he felt let him down during rehabilitation.
Kawhi Leonard To The Spurs Makes No Sense
Does Either Side Want This To Happen?
The idea of Leonard rejoining a team from which he requested a trade seemed a little wild. That was until the Spurs selected two power forwards with their first two picks in the recent 2026 NBA Draft. Now it just seems impossible.
Sure, Jayden Quaintance won’t be available at the start of the season, but sending one of San Antonio’s many young and talented forwards to the bench seems unthinkable. Leonard is 34, and despite being extremely capable on the court, he hasn’t been healthy for long stretches. Returning Leonard to the team he left due to injury-related drama makes no sense.
It would be a nightmare for Spurs fans, too. After “The Claw” left San Antonio, he returned to the city on the Clippers in one of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s last seasons. The boos were so loud that Popovich took the PA microphone to ask people to stop. San Antonio does not want him back.
That’s not even mentioning the strange fit. Leonard’s offense relies a lot on transition and mid-range scoring. Although the transition and his excellent defense fit with what the modern Spurs do, his offense doesn’t. He would slow the game down significantly, and it is difficult to see him play alongside De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama. If Leonard returned to the team, it would slow down the development of various players.
Can San Antonio Afford Leonard?
Even more importantly, if the Spurs land the Clippers’ star forward, can they afford him? And if so, for how long? Leonard is in the final year of his contract and is set to make $50 million this upcoming campaign. If the Spurs traded for him, they could take off some contracts to improve their financial situation; however, they would have to re-sign Leonard later.
Who the Spurs would send to the Clippers is a question in its own right. De’Aaron Fox is a potential trade candidate. However, to trade him for Leonard would not be wise. Leonard would most likely cost the Spurs draft capital, along with Fox. On top of that, Fox has been relatively available for San Antonio, at least when compared to Leonard.
Worst-case scenario, the Clippers would wisely demand a young player from San Antonio. This alone is a heavy price. With fewer young players and fewer picks, the Spurs would have to come up with a plan to compete once Leonard retires and Victor Wembanyama receives his extension.
Let’s say that the Spurs get Leonard and choose to re-sign him after his first year. It is unlikely that Leonard would be easy to convince to stay without a payday. But Wembanyama and Devin Vassell are extension-eligible this summer, and Stephon Castle is next summer. Then, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant are candidates for an extension in 2028. This situation would mirror the Fox situation; however, it would last longer and be with an older player.
Leonard has the potential to create a dominant defense for the ages, but the risks are too heavy. But the price is too high, the reliability is too low, and the will from both parties seems not to be there.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
