Kawhi Leonard denies reports of rift between him and Spurs

While the 2017-18 season has been a frustrating one for Kawhi Leonard as he tries to fully recover from a leg injury, the star forward insists any talk of tension between him and the San Antonio Spurs has been overblown.

On Wednesday, Leonard told reporters he and the team’s coaches, executives and doctors have always been on the same page regarding treatment for his quadriceps injury.

“Everything was done as a group. I don’t feel like nothing was friction,” Leonard said, via Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. I talk to Pop (Spurs coach Gregg Popovich) every day. He knows what the progressions were. He knew what I was doing the whole entire time, as well as the front office. We made a group decision, so it wasn’t me just going out and saying, ‘I am going to go out and do this thing.'”

Leonard would not set a date for his return to game action, though he said he is hoping to be back on the court “soon.” He is not planning to join the team on its three-game road trip that begins Thursday.

Perhaps of more importance to Spurs fans, Leonard was asked if he wants to finish his career in San Antonio.

“Yeah,” he said. “For sure.”

It’s hard to believe Leonard’s claim that he and the Spurs have always been on the same page, especially since Popovich said at one point that he doubts Kawhi will play again this season. There was also a report that Leonard has been medically cleared to play but is choosing not to.

One of Leonard’s teammates recently backed up what the two-time All-Star said Wednesday about his relationship with the Spurs, but there has simply been too much smoke at this point for there to be no fire. In any case, San Antonio is 37-27 and still in good position heading into the playoffs. Getting a healthy Leonard back would be a massive boost.