Report: Spurs prefer sending Leonard to Eastern Conference in any trade

The San Antonio Spurs are diligently working to mend their fractured relationship with Kawhi Leonard. But if they're ultimately forced to move him, management prefers it be to a team San Antonio plays just twice during the regular season.

The franchise has come up with two options going forward to deal with Leonard, according to USA Today's Sam Amick. They will reportedly either fix the situation and keep the 26-year-old on the roster, or attempt to move him to a team in the Eastern Conference.

That aligns with a recent report from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne noting the Spurs shut down inquiries from the Los Angeles Lakers - Leonard's preferred destination.

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"Kawhi and his family mean a lot to our organization and to our community," said Spurs general manager R.C. Buford following Thursday's NBA Draft, according to My San Antonio. "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."

With Leonard eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after next season, any team aside from the Lakers that pulls the trigger on a deal is taking an enormous gamble, especially if the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is truly set on joining his hometown squad.

Leonard made just nine appearances during the 2017-18 season due to a lingering quad issue, averaging 16.2 points in 23.3 minutes. The year prior, though, Leonard was a top-three finalist for Most Valuable Player after leading the Spurs to 61 victories on the back of a career-best 25.5 points per game.