Spurs want Jayson Tatum, Boston more likely to offer Kyrie Irving in Kawhi Leonard trade talks
As reported earlier today, the San Antonio Spurs have been engaging with the Boston Celtics in trade talks surrounding Kawhi Leonard.
More information has surfaced around the details being discussed, and according to Sports Illustrated, the Spurs are pushing for Jayson Tatum to be included in a deal, while the Celtics are more likely to offer Kyrie Irving:
San Antonio has informed teams its preferred target in any Leonard trade is the Celtics' Jayson Tatum, sources say. Teams have noted this is likely a negotiating tactic, and it’s widely believed in league circles Boston is more likely to propose a deal centered around Kyrie Irving and future picks. But based on previous behavior, the Celtics are unlikely to overpay for Leonard.
Adrian Wojnarowski has already made it fairly clear that the Celtics do not want to sacrifice their young talent and give up too much for a potential rental, especially one with a history of injuries, which is consistent with the report earlier today that Jaylen Brown was not among the pieces being discussed during negotiations. So the Celtics will also likely decline any proposition that includes Tatum.
Boston's extremely cautious on Leonard front. There's so much uncertainty w/ Leonard's future -- health, free agent desires, etc. Will Leonard be same player? That's hard to tell. Celtics don't have to make a risky trade and have no intention to do so. It's an interesting dance. https://t.co/gVECzgxrYM— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2018
It was also hypothesized that the Celtics are continuing to engage with San Antonio as a means to drive up the asking price for their historic rivals the Los Angeles Lakers, and make Magic Johnson sacrifice far too much in their pursuit of Kawhi. So Danny likely isn't serious about making these deals.
I fully believe this is Ainge trying to make Magic overpay and trade away all his young talent, doing RC a little favor— Kyrie’s Burner Account (@Kyrieclutch6) June 28, 2018
Personally, I'd prefer to keep the current core intact, and see Danny Ainge hang up the phone on these types of requests, or just say "hell to the naw."
Danny Ainge should just play the Spurs the "Hell Naw" song pic.twitter.com/UHoRYTsJLA— Danielle Hobeika (@dhobeika) June 28, 2018
Photo:ESPN