The 27-year-old looked likely to become a fixture in San Antonio for years to come before the beginning of the season and was heavily fancied to sign a five-year $219m extension with the Spurs this summer.

But tensions began to bubble between player and team over the course of a season in which he made just nine appearances while recovering from a troublesome quadriceps injury.

Leonard believed the Spurs’ medical staff misdiagnosed the initial injury, eventually seeking a second opinion away from the team in New York.

The 2014 Finals MVP sought out the help of renowned specialist Dr Jonathan Glashow to help monitor and advise him during the rehabilitation process.