Nothin' But Nets
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Trading for Kawhi Leonard can not happen

By Chris Milholen

SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 10, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - DECEMBER 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on December 10, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Chris Covatta/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Kawhi Leonard can be dealt before July 1 in order to lure top free agents to join him. The Brooklyn Nets should not be one of those teams trying to trade for Leonard.

Kawhi Leonard has demanded a trade from the San Antonio Spurs, but the Brooklyn Nets shouldn’t be one of the teams pursuing the former Finals MVP.

Last season, Leonard suffered many injury setbacks, limiting him to playing nine games. The other 73 games did not include Leonard, but many of those games were touched by his drama.

About halfway through the season, rumors swirled about Leonard not getting along with the Spurs organization. These rumors led to a five-month saga and finally have Leonard on the trading block.

Two weeks ago, Chris Haynes of ESPN reported that Kawhi Leonard officially wants out of San Antonio and wants to be dealt.

The Spurs will not just trade Leonard to any team. They will trade him to the team that gives them the best package in return. Shortly after Leonard requested a trade, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Leonard wants to be dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers do have enough to offer for Leonard to catch the Spurs’ eyes, but no deal has been announced. Another popular destination for the 27-year-old All-Star is the Boston Celtics. The Celtics arguably can put together the best trade for the Spurs.

Boston is filled with young assets and future first-round draft picks that would be attractive to the Spurs. Another main reason Boston is a favorable destination is to get Leonard out of the Western Conference.

If Leonard stays in the West,the Spurs will play him three or four times during the 2018-19 season. If he goes out East, the Spurs will only see him twice.

Not many Eastern Conference teams besides the Celtics have expressed interest in acquiring Leonard. With many teams proposing their offers to San Antonio for the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, the Brooklyn Nets should not be one of those teams.

Brooklyn Nets 2018 offseason

The Brooklyn Nets have been active this offseason. On June 20, Brooklyn kicked off trade season by acquiring Dwight Howard from the Charlotte Hornets for Timofey Mozgov, two second-round picks, and cash. The trade was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

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The following day, Brooklyn and Howard agreed to negotiate a buyout of the final year of Howard’s contract, worth $23.8 million.

This buyout will leave Brooklyn with $8.3 million to spend this offseason, but trading Mozgov gives the Nets the potential for two max contract spots for 2019-20.

No Kawhi, No Problem

It is not smart for Brooklyn to even attempt to trade for Leonard. The two-time NBA All-Star has his eyes set on becoming a Los Angeles Laker or joining a title contending team like the Boston Celtics.

The Brooklyn Nets do have several young assets and their own first-round draft pick for the first time since 2013 that San Antonio would take for Leonard. The problem is Leonard is an unrestricted free agent next summer.

To go along with his pending free agency, he is coming off a serious injury which cost him 73 games last season.

If Leonard was not a free agent after this season, proposing a trade could be a better idea. The Nets should not take the chance of possibly trading away their bright future for Leonard.

The future looks very bright for Brooklyn. It has been a very long time since the Nets have had that to look forward to and Leonard should not be included yet.

Now, the Nets should pursue Leonard in 2019. Brooklyn will be serious contenders next summer due to their two max contract spots. To go along with their two max contract spots, Brooklyn is expected to have a lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

The 2019 NBA Draft is expected to be a fantastic draft for lottery teams.

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With all that being said, The Brooklyn Nets should not make an offer for Kawhi Leonard and focus on landing two stars in 2019.