Saturday Slam: With Kawhi Leonard likely done for the year, are the Spurs cooked?

Earlier this week, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com that he would be surprised if Kawhi Leonard (quadriceps) returned this season. The weird part of this whole thing is that Leonard has been medically cleared to play, but is opting not to play presumably because of severe discomfort. During the 9 games that he played this season, Leonard averaged 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds in 23.3 minutes of action. While it was clear he wasn't yet back to full strength, he was still able to give the Spurs a legitimate boost.

As it stands, the Spurs are currently 4th in the Western Conference with a 35-25 record, 11 games back of the Rockets and Warriors. While they are expected to make the playoffs, it's no guarantee that they do as they are only two games up on the 8th seeded New Orleans Pelicans. This Spurs team isn't as deep as previous years, which makes the absence of Leonard such a crushing blow. Outside of LaMarcus Aldridge, the Spurs really don't have anyone else who they can rely on. Rudy Gay, Pau Gasol, and Tony Parker are solid role players, but they're past their prime at this point and no longer can be asked to carry the type of load that they have in years past.

At this point, the best the Spurs can do is solider on without Leonard and make sure they hang on to home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. There is the possibility that Leonard returns in the playoffs and if the Spurs can get home court advantage for the first round, they could look at possibly bringing him back for the conference semifinals. While it's unclear how much Leonard could help them if he were to come back at that point, they would still be better with him on the floor playing at 80% than having him on the sidelines in a suit.

                                          (Getty Images) 

The biggest concern for the Spurs is what this means for Leonard's long term future with the team. There are some who believe the real reason he is sitting out is because he's disgruntled and unhappy being in San Antonio. If this is true, then the Spurs have something far more serious to worry about than a quadriceps injury. Leonard has two more seasons left on his contract before he hits unrestricted free agency. As much as they don't want to think about it, if Leonard actually does want out of San Antonio, the Spurs should consider moving him and getting something back for him before he walks away in free agency.

The absence of Kawhi Leonard looms large for the Spurs both for this season and possibly beyond. He's been billed as their next franchise player following Tim Duncan and if he isn't interested in being the next great Spur, they have a lot of things to think about. Fortunately for the Spurs, they do have Leonard under contract for the next little while so they don't have to immediately think about moving him. Right now, their main focus needs to be on making the playoffs and putting themselves in a position to make some noise in the event that Leonard is able to return.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: Don't sleep on the San Antonio Spurs

     Like always, the San Antonio Spurs continue to make really good moves while not getting enough attention. While the departure of Tim Duncan created a lot of headlines, the additions of Pau Gasol and David Lee have not gotten enough attention. Pau Gasol averaged 16.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game last season with the Bulls, which is a significant upgrade over Tim Duncan's 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. As for David Lee, his 8.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game were nothing to write home about, but they essentially replace Tim Duncan's production. If Lee is able to play better than he did last season, he too could be a significant addition to the squad.

     The Spurs won 67 games last season and essentially are bringing back the same squad they had last season plus Pau Gasol. If that isn't reason to take the Spurs seriously, I don't know what is. They still have Tony Parker running the point with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge continuing to gel as the franchise players for the present and future.

     While the Golden State Warriors have understandably grabbed all the headlines by landing Kevin Durant, they are no slam-dunk to win the NBA championship next season. One of the main reasons is the San Antonio Spurs and all the good moves that they are making on their end. While I do agree that the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to come out of the Western Conference in 2017, the San Antonio Spurs will be right there putting the pressure on them. I guarantee it.

Daily Dunks: 9/14-9/20/15

                                                   (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source). 

Here is my Daily Dunks page for September 14, 2015 through September 20, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Hornets signed forward Sam Thompson and center Jason Washburn for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. The Lakers signed center Robert Upshaw to a partially guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#3. The Bucks have given their general manager John Hammond a contract extension through the 2016-17 season (Click here for details).

#4. The Spurs are instituting a season-tickets wait list (Click here for details).

#5. The Rockets signed second round pick forward Montrezl Harrell to a three-year contract (Click here for details). Harrell also saved a motorist (Click here for details).

#6. By signing Christian Wood, the 76ers put themselves in an interesting roster pinch (Click here for details).

#7. NBA GMs are discussing expanding the draft once the D-League reaches 30 teams (Click here for details).

#8. The D-League is planning on multi-team expansion for next season (Click here for details).

#9. The Pacers' owner is seeking a court ruling on team ownership (Click here for details).

#10. The Pelicans signed forward Chris Douglas-Roberts to a two-year contract (Click here for details).

#11. David Morway is not being retained as the Bucks' assistant GM (Click here for details).

#12. Kelly Oubre and Terry Rozier signed with Adidas (Click here for details).

#13. Trajan Langdon is joining the Cavaliers as Director of Player Administration. He is replacing Raja Bell (Click here for details).

#14. The Warriors signed guard Ian Clark for training camp (Click here for details).

#15. The Grizzlies signed guard Patrick Christopher for training camp (Click here for details).

#16. The Timberwolves hired Arnie Kander as VP of Sports Performance (Click here for details).

#17. The WNBA playoffs start on September 17. Click here to view the final standings.

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Toronto Raptors' D-League team has hired their assistant coaches (Click here for details).

#2. Moses Malone's funeral will be on Saturday (Click here for details).

#3. Gus Johnson and Marques Johnson have joined the Milwaukee Bucks' broadcast team (Click here for details).

#4. The Warriors hired Steve Nash for a consulting job to help develop their backcourt (Click here for details).

#5. Anthony Bennett may be staying in Minnesota (Click here for details).

#6. The Wizards signed forward Josh Harrellson for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. Roy Hibbert has no hard feelings towards the Pacers (Click here for details).

#8. Eric Gordon wants to stay with the Pelicans (Click here for details).

#9. Rockets center Donatas Motiejunas (back) won't be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#10. Walt Frazier says Wilt Chamberlain is the greatest of all time (Click here for details).

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Rockets have unveiled some alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#2. The Jazz plan to stick with the point guards on their roster (Click here for details).

#3. The Brooklyn Nets and the YES Network are near a massive TV deal (Click here for details).

#4. The Mavericks tried to sign Steve Nash this summer (Click here for details).

#5. The Suns signed five players for training camp (Click here for details).

#6. Former ASU center Jordan Bachynski has signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Pistons (Click here for details).

#7. Norris Cole has re-signed with the Pelicans on a one-year, $3.03M qualifying offer (Click here for details).

#8. Nets forward Andrea Bargnani (calf) competed for Italy in Eurobasket. He is fine (Click here for details).

#9. Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis: "I am not Shawn Bradley" (Click here for details).

#10. Stephen Curry has signed a mega-extension with Under Armour (Click here for details).

#11. The Nets signed Angolan big man Yanick Moreira to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#12. The Hawks signed small forward DeQuan Jones to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker underwent minor surgery to repair a nasal fracture. He should be ready for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. Spain defeated France 80-75 to advance to the Olympics. Pau Gasol led Spain with 40 points and 11 rebounds (Click here for details).

#3. The Heat signed point guard John Lucas III for training camp (Click here for details).

#4. The Pelicans have unveiled some new alternate uniforms (Click here for details).

#5. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving says he is making progress in his recovery (Click here for details).

#6. The 76ers expect Jordan McRae to reject his tender (Click here for details).

#7. Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant has been medically cleared to resume all basketball related activities (Click here for details).

#8. The Bulls signed shooting guard Jordan Crawford to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#9. Power forward Jerrelle Benimon will not join the Cavaliers for training camp. He is playing in China instead (Click here for details).

#10. The Timberwolves signed shooting guard Nick Wiggins and center Kelon Penn for training camp (Click here for details).

#11. Undrafted big man Joshua Smith from Georgetown has signed with the Rockets for training camp (Click here for details).

#12. Forward Nick Minnerath has signed with the Cavaliers for training camp (Click here for details).

Thursday's WNBA Playoff results: 

Sky 77 Fever 72. Sky guard Allie Quigley had 22 points of the bench. Sky lead the series 1-0.

Mercury 88 Shock 55: Final. Mercury power forward Brittney Griner had 18 points and 8 rebounds. Mercury lead the series 1-0.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1.The Hawks signed point guard Edgar Sosa for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. Carlos Delfino worked out for the Spurs (Click here for details).

#3. The Hawks made several hirings and promotions in their organization (Click here for details).

#4. The Nets signed forward Justin Harper to a non-guaranteed contract (Click here for details).

#5. Mike Krzyzewski says some very nice things about Kobe Bryant (Click here for details).

#6. Lakers head coach Byron Scott plans to give Kobe Bryant fewer minutes (Click here for details).

#7. Lithuania defeated Serbia to advance to the Olympics (Click here for details).

#8. The Suns have unveiled a new court (Click here for details).

#9. The Hawks are getting creative with the way they try to sell season tickets (Click here for details).

#10. The NBA is studying wearable technology for game use (Click here for details).

#11. Warriors forward Harrison Barnes has signed with agent Jeff Schwartz (Click here for details).

#12. Montrezl Harrell officially signed with the Rockets (Click here for details).

#13. Yanick Moreria, won't be able to join the Nets for training camp. He suffered a minor tear to a ligament in his left foot which will take 4-6 weeks to heal (Click here for details).

Friday's WNBA Playoffs Results: 

Lynx 67 Sparks 65: Final. Maya Moore led the Lynx with 33 points. Lynx lead series 1-0.
Mystics 86 Liberty 83: Final/2OT. Mystics lead series 1-0.

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Blake Griffin says he wants to finish his career with the Clippers (Click here for details).

#2. Marco Belinelli will join the Kings next weekend (Click here for details).

#3. Spain wins Eurobasket and Pau Gasol won MVP (Click here for details).

#4. Shaquille O'Neal thinks Kobe Bryant should play beyond this season (Click here for details).

#5. Dwight Howard has signed with PEAK shoes, a Chinese brand (Click here for details).

#6. Jimmer Fredette says he is surprised the Spurs called (Click here for details).

#7. The Heat have several players playing in the final year of their contracts (Click here for details).

#8. France defeated Serbia 81-68 to finish 3rd place in Eurobasket (Click here for details).

#9. The Rockets waived guard Remi Yusuf (Click here for details).

#10. Forward DeShaun Thomas has signed with the Spurs for training camp (Click here for details).

Saturday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Fever 89 Sky 82: Final. Tamika Catchings led the Fever with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Series is tied 1-1.

Mercury 91 Shock 67: Final. Mercury win series 2-0. Brittney Griner led the Mercury with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 rebounds.

Sundays' NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Warriors plan to keep guard Chris Babb around for training camp (Click here for details).

#2. 76ers point guard Kendall Marshall isn't expected to be ready to start the season (Click here for details).

#3. Jerry West thinks Kobe Bryant could play beyond this season (Click here for details).

#4. Shaquille O'Neal has some high praise for Anthony Davis (Click here for details).

#5. Hornets big man Al Jefferson lost 20 pounds by cutting out fried chicken (Click here for details).

#6. The Bucks signed three players for training camp (Click here for details).

#7. The Warriors have offered Harrison Barnes a 4 year, $64M contract (Click here for details).

#8. Pau Gasol has committed to playing for Spain in the 2016 Rio Olympics (Click here for details).

Sunday's WNBA Final Scores: 

Liberty 86 Mystics 68: Final. Tina Charles led the Liberty with 22 points. Series is tied 1-1.

Sparks 81 Lynx 71: Final. Candace Parker led the Sparks with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Series is tied 1-1.


---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news and like my Facebook page NBA Lord Nation. 

Daily Dunks: 5/4-5/10

                                                  (Credit: Andy Melton. Click here for source). 

     Here is my Daily Dunks page for May 4, 2015 through May 10, 2015. Throughout the week, this page will be updated with news and scores from across the NBA until a new Daily Dunks page is created for the following week.

Monday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry won the 2014-15 NBA MVP award (Click here for details).

#2. The NBA Draft will once again be at Barclays Center (Click here for details).

#3. Gregg Popovich thinks the Hack-A-Shaq rule gets solved if guys simply make their free throws (Click here for details).

#4. Willie Cauley-Stein, a projected lottery pick, changed his middle name to "Trill" (Click here for details).

#5. Emmanuel Mudiay won't attend the NBA draft combine in Chicago (Click here for details).

#6. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley believes sitting in a loud arena helped him in his recovery (Click here for details).

#7. The Hornets plan to have their own D-League team soon (Click here for details).

#8. Danny Green wants to remain with the Spurs (Click here for details).

#9. Bulls point guard Derrick Rose had 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.

#10. Clippers power forward Blake Griffin had 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. Also, Clippers point guard Chris Paul (hamstring) did not play.

Monday's NBA Playoff Scores: 

Bulls 99 Cavaliers 92 (Bulls lead series 1-0). Clippers 117 Rockets 101 (Clippers lead series 1-0).

Tuesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry was given the MVP trophy before Game 2 against the Grizzlies.

#2. The Bulls reportedly want Tom Thibodeau out as coach. Fred Hoiberg is rumored to be desired replacement (Click here for details).

#3. Nets GM Billy King is reportedly closing in on an extension (Click here for details).

#4. Russell Westbrook will represent the Thunder at the NBA Draft Lottery (Click here for details).

#5. The Spurs may look to trade Tiago Splitter (Click here for details).

#6. Isiah Thomas has been named president and part owner of the WNBA franchise New York Liberty (Click here for details).

#7. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (facial fractures) played with the mask and had 22 points (Click here for details).

#8. Warriors point guard Stephen Curry and Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson shot a combined 3-17 from three-point range.

#9. Wizards point guard John Wall (wrist) did not play (Click here for details).

#10. Hawks small forward DeMarre Carroll had 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Tuesday's NBA Playoff Scores: 

Hawks 106 Wizards 90 (Series is tied 1-1). Grizzlies 97 Warriors 90 (Series is tied 1-1).

Wednesday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Pelicans point guard Jrue Holiday underwent surgery to remove a screw from his lower right leg (Click here for details).

#2. Pelicans small forward Quincy Pondexter underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee (Click here for details).

#3. Joe Dumars, a Louisiana native, is closing in on a deal to join the Pelicans' front office (Click here for details).

#4. The Nets intend to extend Mirza Teletovic a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent (Click here for details).

#5. The Cavaliers planned to give away 20,000 slings to fans in support of Kevin Love, but then they canceled it (Click here for details).

#6. Dirk Nowitzki has opened up on the Rajon Rondo situation and why they didn't give him a share of their playoff money (Click here for details).

#7. Spurs assistant Ettore Messina is interested in some head coaching opportunities (Click here for details).

#8. The Nets are going to make re-signing Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez a priority this summer (Click here for details).

#9. Rockets shooting guard James Harden had 32 points and 7 assists.

#10. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 33 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Wednesday's NBA Playoff Scores: 

Cavaliers 106 Bulls 91 (Series is tied 1-1). Rockets 115 Clippers 109 (Series is tied 1-1).

Thursday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. The Nuggets are expected to sign Nikola Jokic this summer (Click here for details).

#2. Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert (groin) is questionable for Game 3 (Click here for details).

#3. The Pelicans say they are not planning to hire Joe Dumars for any front office role (Click here for details).

#4. Rockets forward Corey Brewer was fined $5K for flopping (Click here for details).

#5. Wizards point guard John Wall has five non-displaced features in his left wrist. His timetable for return is unknown (Click here for details).

#6. Clippers point guard Chris Paul (hamstring) is questionable for Friday's Game 3. He did some workouts on Thursday (Click here for details).

#7. Matt Barnes trash talked James Harden's mom (Click here for details).

#8. The NBA draft combine participants have been announced (Click here for details).

#9. Rajon Rondo once lost to Charlie Villanueva in Connect Four (Click here for details).

#10. There were no NBA playoff games today. Games resume on Friday.

Friday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Anthony Grant is joining the Thunder as an assistant coach (Click here for details).

#2. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has been playing hurt (Click here for details).

#3. Thunder GM Sam Presti plans to re-sign Enes Kanter (Click here for details).

#4. The Magic prefer to have Tom Thibodeau be their new head coach. Their second choice is Scott Brooks (Click here for details).

#5. Chandler Parsons is ready to recruit free agents to join him in Dallas (Click here for details).

#6. J.J. Barea wants a multi-year with the Mavericks that will pay him $3M annually (Click here for details).

#7. Raymond Felton will exercise his $3.9M 2015-16 option with the Mavericks (Click here for details).


#8. Mark Jackson takes a dig at Stephen Curry, saying it was the "easy route" to pick him for MVP (Click here for details).

#9. Mirza Teletovic hopes to stay in Brooklyn and definitely stay in the NBA (Click here for details).

#10. Bulls center Joakim Noah was fined $25K for pushing a fan (Click here for details).

Friday's NBA Final Scores: 

Bulls 99 Cavaliers 96 (Bulls lead series 2-1 and Derrick Rose hit the game winning three). Clippers 124 Rockets 99 (Clippers lead series 2-1).

Saturday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Bill Simmons and ESPN are parting ways (Click here for details).

#2. Wizards small forward Paul Pierce hit the game winning shot and he called game (Click here for details).

#3. The Lakers are planning to offer Jimmy Butler max money in restricted free agency (Click here for details).

#4. LeBron James thinks Joakim Noah's trash talking crossed the line. As if trash talking can be nice (Click here for details).

#5. Marc Gasol hit a crazy bank shot to seal the win for the Grizzlies (Click here for details).

#6. Clippers forward Glen Davis was fined $5K for flopping in Game 3 against the Rockets (Click here for details).

#7. Rockets shooting guard Jason Terry's flagrant 2 foul on Friday was downgraded to a flagrant 1 (Click here for details).

#8. Wizards point guard John Wall (hand/wrist) didn't play. He also hasn't started dribbling yet (Click here for details).

#9. Clippers point guard Chris Paul (hamstring) will play in Game 4 on Sunday (Click here for details).

#10. Bulls power forward Pau Gasol (hamstring) is questionable for Game 4 on Sunday (Click here for details).

Saturday's NBA Final Scores: 

Wizards 103 Hawks 101 (Wizards lead the series 2-1). Grizzlies 99 Warriors 89 (Grizzlies lead series 2-1).

Sunday's NBA Daily Dunks: 

#1. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James hit the game winner to beat the Bulls (Click here for details and a video).

#2. Jimmy Butler intends to stay with the Bulls (Click here for details).

#3. Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving has left knee tendinitis but will play through the injury (Click here for details).

#4. Bulls power forward Pau Gasol (hamstring) did not play in Game 4 (Click here for details).

#5. Randy Whittman says John Wall is heading in the right direction (Click here for details).

#6. Kings owner Vivek Ranadive says the team is trying to build something special (Click here for details).

#7. James Harden doesn't like the "Hack-A-Shaq" strategy (Click here for details).

#8. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James scratched David Blatt's play at the end of the game (Click here for details).

#9. Clippers center DeAndre Jordan shot 14/34 from the foul line and had 26 points and 17 rebounds.

#10. Cavaliers small forward LeBron James had 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Sunday's NBA Playoff Scores: 

Cavaliers 86 Bulls 84 (Series is tied 2-2). Clippers 128 Rockets 95 (Clippers lead 3-1).

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord  for NBA news