SAN ANTONIO – The 2018 NBA Draft is being held Thursday but all eyes are also on Kawhi Leonard. Here's the latest:
JUST IN: The Spurs selected Lonnie Walker IV with the No. 18 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Walker is a 6-4 shooting guard out of Miami (FL).
Recommended Videos
Walker is being called one of the steals of the draft so far. He is projected to be a lockdown defender with a game tailor made for transition. One of the criticisms of Walker is he not consistent on the offensive end.
JUST IN: #Spurs have drafted Lonnie Walker IV with the No. 18 pick. Walker is a 6-4 shooting guard out of Miami (FL) #KSATsports #KSATnews #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/3LaPrVbxZP
— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) June 22, 2018
The Clippers were reportedly trying to lure the Spurs into a deal for Leonard.
League sources say the Clippers have been trying to lure the Spurs into Kawhi Leonard trade talks with an offer featuring their two lotto picks and Tobias Harris, but it appears they'll be making the 12th and 13th pick for themselves — with Michael Porter Jr. still on the board.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 22, 2018
Phoenix and Sacramento have made their selections. Both were rumored to be interested in trading for Leonard over the past week.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported the Lakers asked about Leonard in the past week.
Within the last week the Lakers contacted the Spurs to discuss a Kawhi Leonard trade. As one source put it, “they basically shut the door on us.”
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 21, 2018
The Lakers have now reportedly reached out to the Spurs to inquire about Leonard, according to Yahoo! Sports' Shams Charania.
The Los Angeles Lakers have reached out to the San Antonio Spurs to express interest in All-Star Kawhi Leonard, league sources tell Yahoo. No proposals have been discussed.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 21, 2018
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Spurs are willing to listen to trade proposals for Leonard, but are not seeking offers. Wojnarowski adds there has been no dialogue between San Antonio and the Lakers.
Spurs are willing listeners on Kawhi Leonard trade proposals, but haven't been proactive in chasing down offers, league sources tell ESPN. For now, make an offer and they'll add it to their board. Spurs and Lakers have had no dialogue on Leonard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2018
PREVIOUS STORY:
The Spurs disgruntled all-star forward reportedly asked to be traded on Friday, preferably to the Los Angeles Lakers.
That has led some to believe the Spurs could make a draft day move that could alter the franchise moving forward.
Leonard and head coach Gregg Popovich met earlier this week in an effort to possibly mend the relationship.
The Spurs may have also wanted clarity from Leonard as to whether he definitively wants out of San Antonio so the team can prepare for possible trade proposals.
Those trade proposals were initially rumored to include Phoenix's No. 1 pick and Sacramento's No. 2 pick.
The Suns will not, despite what you might have read elsewhere, trade the No. 1 pick for Kawhi Leonard. Not happening.
— scott bordow (@sbordow) June 16, 2018
Add the Kings to the list of teams expected to pursue Kawhi Leonard. No clarity on what they'd be willing to offer, but the notion of the No. 2 pick being on the table is a strong start.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 15, 2018
The Clippers were also reportedly putting together a package with the No. 12 and 13 picks. The Sixers, Celtics and Cavs were also in the mix.
The draft begins at 6 p.m. Here's some of the latest rumors involving Leonard and the Spurs.
On Kawhi Leonard, and the most interesting trade piece in play for him -- a young guy who looks in some ways like a young Kawhi Leonard. (But young Kawhi made several giant leaps into MVP candidate Kawhi.) https://t.co/Gwsb3lxHFW
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 20, 2018
How the Spurs are operating, per multiple sources from teams that have checked in on Kawhi Leonard in recent days: We're not shopping him, but if you want to make us an offer, go ahead, we'll consider it.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 20, 2018
Sources: There is a 0 percent chance the #Spurs trade @kawhileonard to a Western Conference team. ZEEEEE-Row. Column: https://t.co/6OX85eL1K3
— Chris Sheridan (@sheridanhoops) June 17, 2018
Days after desiring trade, Spurs star Kawhi Leonard, Gregg Popovich meet Tuesday in San Diego. Story: https://t.co/VKNQDGIVBe
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2018