OAKLAND, CA - MAY 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs stands on the court during Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2017 in Oakland, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Rumors: Kyrie Irving more likely to be traded than Jayson Tatum by Joshua Bateman

From DeMarcus Cousins to Paul George to Anthony Davis, it has been a given that the Celtics pop up in trade rumors for star players. This offseason isn’t any different.

After months of conflicting reports, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the Boston Celtics interest in former MVP-runner-up Kawhi Leonard.

If Kawhi Leonard does become available in trade talks, the Boston Celtics will be interested in probing the Spurs about a deal, league sources tell ESPN. Boston inquired about a trade prior to the February deadline, sources said. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2018

While acquiring a star talent like Leonard would undoubtedly make the Celtics more dangerous, his injury history and contract situation are huge red flags. A deal would not only have the potential to compromise the Celtics success in the long-term, but also in the short-term.

A Kawhi trade is a risk that the Celtics just should not take. As Coach Stevens likes to say, they don’t need to hit any more home-runs, they just need singles – the team came minutes away from a finals appearance without their two best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Breaking up the roster, even for Leonard, just wouldn’t make sense.

This roster has done enough to earn their opportunity to stay together, and even one of the best rent a players in the NBA is not enough to justify taking that opportunity away.

The Celtics are built to win now and in the future, and if getting Leonard means sacrificing from the core that that has opened a championship window that can last years, it will be a mistake.

Although Leonard would be a substantial upgrade over Jaylen Brown (assuming that’s who is sent to San Antonio in a proposed deal), Brown’s rookie contract doesn’t expire for another two seasons – and he will more than likely sign for at least another four seasons after that.

Is one year of Kawhi really worth six of an ascending Brown ? This is also assuming that Leonard would be 100% healthy and that Brown would be the only valuable asset going to San Antonio… It just doesn’t add up.