Report: Kawhi close to 100 percent, hopes to meet with Pop this week
Kawhi Leonard's protracted, mysterious, drama-inducing quad injury appears to almost be in the rearview mirror. A source told the San Antonio Express News' Jabari Young that the Spurs' franchise player is at "96, 97 percent" in his recovery, and hopes to meet with Gregg Popovich this week.
It was reported last week that Leonard and Popovich would try to meet before the June 21 draft in order to set things straight after one of the more dysfunctional seasons in Spurs history.
It's anticipated that once the superstar and coach iron out any lingering issues, the Spurs will proceed to offer Leonard a five-year super-max contract extension worth around $219 million. That would put to sleep any rumors of the two-time Defensive Player of the Year angling to be traded, something that reared its head during his prolonged rehabilitation.
Related: Kawhi reportedly talked to Spurs officials at funeral for Pop's wife
Leonard entered the season with the quad issue, missing the team's first 27 games. After returning and playing sporadically in nine contests, he was shelved again for the rest of the season - with Popovich himself saying he'd "never seen" an injury like it. Compounding matters was Leonard's position that only his personal medical staff, and not the Spurs', would clear him for action.
As a result, the Spurs' 20-year run of 50-win seasons came to an end.
San Antonio may say goodbye to franchise legends Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili this summer, but the team appears committed to keeping its run of excellence intact. Beyond Leonard, Popovich is reportedly interested in having a conversation with LeBron James this summer.