Spurs GM R.C. Buford says team hopes to 'build the best relationship we can' with Kawhi Leonard

USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Kawhi Leonard demands trade from Spurs SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Sam Amick discusses the impact of the trade demand by the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard and which teams are the favorites to acquire him.

Despite reports of Kawhi Leonard’s discontent and preference to move on from San Antonio, the Spurs’ brass sounded determined Thursday night to keep him and repair their soured relationship.

“Kawhi and his family mean a lot to our organization and to our community,” Spurs GM R.C. Buford said following Thursday’s draft. “While none of us would wish we are where we are, we are going to do what we can to build the best relationship we can with him. We will explore all of our options, but the first one would be to keep Kawhi as part of our group.”

Leonard met with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich this week in San Diego, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick. The meeting had been planned for weeks and wasn’t a result of Leonard’s preference to be traded becoming public.

The divide stems from the parties’ handling of Leonard’s right quadriceps injury that lingered throughout the season. Leonard and his camp sought outside medical counsel, which left the All-Star and his organization at odds. Leonard has one year left on his deal before he can be a free agent.

Here’s Spurs GM R.C. Buford on Kawhi Leonard: pic.twitter.com/XXG6rzdxQZ — Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) June 22, 2018

“I don’t know that timing is a factor in this,” Buford said. “He is under contract for another year. Our goal is to keep him as part of our program for a long time.

“I think all of us would wish that things would have gone differently at times,” he said.

Despite trade possibilities swirling around Leonard, the Spurs were one of the winners of Thursday’s draft when they took Miami’s Lonnie Walker at No. 18. Walker, a sturdy defender with excellent athleticism, offers insurance in case the Spurs ultimately feel compelled to deal Leonard.

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