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Leonard requested a trade after a meeting with
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. His absence from the team became a
point of consternation for Popovich and the Spurs, who didn't
have the All-Star forward on the floor for the final five months
of last season because of a quadriceps injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers,
Philadelphia 76ers and others checked on Leonard's availability
before Wednesday's trade, in which the Spurs were able to
acquire another All-Star in DeRozan.
If Leonard were to become a free agent after finishing the
season in Toronto, the Raptors could offer up to five years and
$190 million; everyone else would top out at four years and $141
million.
ESPN and The Sporting News reported Wednesday morning that
Leonard has "no desire" to play in Toronto and could sit out,
hoping to force another trade. DeRozan wrote on his Instagram
page Wednesday morning, "Be told one thing & the outcome
another. Can't trust em. Ain't no loyalty in this game. Sell you
out quick for a little bit of nothing... Soon you'll
understand... Don't disturb..."
-- Dwyane Wade announced a lifetime contract extension with
Chinese apparel company Li-Ning, which he's represented since
2012, during an event in Beijing to unveil his new Way of Wade 7
shoe.
Financial terms were not announced, but the contract calls for
him to increase his presence at developmental camps and clinics
in China and around the world.
Wade, 36, still has not decided if he will continue his NBA
career. He said he'll turn his attention to his NBA career when
he returns from China.
--The Oklahoma City Thunder are targeting guard Dennis Schroder
and forward Mike Muscala in trade discussions that would send
forward Carmelo Anthony to the Atlanta Hawks, according to
Sirius XM NBA's Mitch Lawrence.
Per the report, the Hawks would buy out Anthony's contract if
they acquired him, making him a free agent. They are hoping to
receive an asset, as well, but getting rid of Schroder and his
remaining three years and $46.5 million is Atlanta's "No. 1
priority."
Multiple reports have pegged the Houston Rockets as the
favorites to sign Anthony once he inevitably hits free agency.
--The Boston Celtics are in serious talks with the agent for
restricted free agent guard Marcus Smart on a four-year deal
worth between $46 and $50 million, according to ESPN's Adrian
Wojnarowski.
Smart, 24, just completed his fourth season with the franchise
and said he prefers to stay with the Celtics, who drafted him
sixth overall in 2014. He also is fond of coach Brad Stevens and
president Danny Ainge.
Smart has averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 assists in 261 games (83
starts) over four seasons. Shooting has been an issue as he has
hit just 36.0 percent of his field-goal attempts, with his high
mark being 36.7, but Smart is highly valuable as a defender with
386 career steals.
--The Los Angeles Lakers signed undrafted free agent Joel Berry
II to take part in camp, a day after the team finished runner-up
in the Las Vegas Summer League.
The Lakers actually signed Berry shortly after he went undrafted
in June, but he did not play in the Summer League because of an
ankle injury. Nonetheless, he will now be in the team's camp and
compete for a spot in a backcourt that already includes Lonzo
Ball, Rajon Rondo and Summer League MVP Josh Hart.
Berry had a decorated career at North Carolina, highlighted by
his performance in the 2017 NCAA Tournament which ended with a
national championship for the Tar Heels and the Final Four Most
Outstanding Player for Berry. As a senior last season, Berry
earned first-team All-ACC honors after averaging 17.1 points,
3.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 33.1 minutes per
game.
--Field Level Media
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