Report: Popovich, Kawhi to meet before draft

Head coach Gregg Popovich and Kawhi Leonard will meet between now and the June 21 NBA draft in an effort to rebuild the relationship between the San Antonio Spurs and franchise forward, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

It's been previously reported that a meeting between the two sides this summer was of paramount importance to the Spurs, but the timing before the draft is noteworthy given Leonard's contract status. The Spurs can offer the two-time Defensive Player of the Year a five-year super-max extension worth about $219 million starting July 1. If he doesn't sign it before the October deadline, Leonard would become an unrestricted free agent if he opts out of his existing deal next summer.

That's probably not a situation the Spurs want to be in, and it could lead Leonard to the trading block. Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that teams continue to inquire about the former NBA Finals MVP, but that they have no intention to deal him yet.

Serious cracks formed in the relationship between Leonard and the Spurs this past season, with the forward being limited to just nine games due to a severe quad injury. According to Popovich, Leonard insisted that his own medical team - not that of the Spurs - make the decision when he would return to action. That never happened, with Leonard last playing a game on Jan. 13.

Since then, rumors have swirled that Leonard's handlers are plotting a trade to a bigger market, while the Spurs have reportedly said the relationship between he and Popovich remains strong.

Contractually speaking, the Spurs likely won't have much flexibility this offseason. Only Danny Green and Rudy Gay opting out of their deals would create any meaningful cap space. The era of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili may also come to an end this summer, with the 36-year-old Parker an unrestricted free agent and the 40-year-old Ginobili again considering retirement.