Kawhi Leonard could be at the centre of one of the NBA's biggest off-season storylines after fresh reports claimed the Los Angeles Clippers star is willing to sign a contract extension with only two franchises if he is traded.
The revelation has sparked renewed speculation about a remarkable return to the San Antonio Spurs, where Leonard began his career and won his first NBA title.
While theToronto Raptorsare currently the only team known to have held substantive trade discussions with the Clippers, the Spurs have unexpectedly emerged as a serious long-term option.
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Leonard would only commit to a long-term extension with the Spurs or Raptors if he leaves Los Angeles before becoming a free agent in 2027.
That preference significantly reduces the number of realistic trade partners for the Clippers. Teams are generally reluctant to part with valuable assets for a player who could depart after a single season, making Leonard's willingness to sign an extension a crucial factor in any negotiations.
The 35-year-old has a history with both organisations. San Antonio drafted Leonard in 2011, where he developed into an NBA champion and Finals MVP before his relationship with the franchise deteriorated ahead of his 2018 trade.
He was then dealt to Toronto, where he led the Raptors to their first NBA championship before signing with the Clippers as a free agent the following summer.
The latest reports have reignited discussion over whether Leonard could return to San Antonio after eight years away.
Although there have been no reported trade negotiations between the Spurs and Clippers, Leonard's reported willingness to sign a new deal there instantly makes San Antonio one of the most credible destinations.
A return would reuniteLeonardwith the franchise where he won his first championship and established himself as one of the league's elite two-way players. It would also mark a dramatic new chapter after his departure from the Spurs ended on difficult terms in 2018.
Source: International Business Times UK
