Kawhi Leonard has been the star of the playoffs and the New York Knicks firmly believe they’ll at least land a meeting with the stud.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the New York Knicks front office is confident they’ll have a “puncher’s chance” with Kawhi Leonard this offseason. In addition to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Leonard appears to be high on the Knicks wish list.
Last year ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote an eye-opening piece on the discord between Leonard and the Spurs. It’s possible that Steve Mills and Scott Perry’s confidence may have stemmed from the following quote …
“Multiple league sources also told ESPN that the Spurs have grown worried that Leonard’s group has an ulterior motive to fray the relationship and get Leonard traded to a larger market such as Los Angeles (Leonard’s hometown) or New York or Philadelphia (Robertson lives in New Jersey).”
Leonard, for his part, has been dominating this year’s playoffs. According to Basketball-Reference the Claw has been averaging over 30 points per game on 49 percent shooting and 39 percent from the three-point line.
He’ll have no shortage of suitors this summer, and the Knicks, along with a few other teams can offer him the chance to pick his teammate.
Yet the question remains, would Leonard really consider coming to the Big Apple?
It seems that everyone is trying to figure out the inner-workings of Leonard’s mind. Most feel that the Los Angeles Clippers have the inside track, being that Leonard is originally from L.A. Leonard might not be willing to trade palm trees and sunshine for the chance at basketball immortality if he wins in New York.
Truth be told, the way he’s playing, he’ll get there all on his own.
