Report: Kawhi Leonard will not pursue offer sheets in free agency
Kawhi Leonard - quiet, unassuming and dominant - has become the embodiment of the San Antonio Spurs.
And the pending restricted free agent appears to want nothing more than to continue his career in black, white and silver.
Citing league sources, Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported that "there's no scenario where Leonard plans to pursue offer sheets on the market," with the Spurs expected to offer the 23-year-old a maximum contract extension on July 1.
This should come as no surprise, of course.
The only thing that kept the Spurs from offering Leonard a max extension before the Oct. 31 deadline was their desire to maintain maximum flexibility to pursue 2015 free agents this summer, something they can do if Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire at the end of the season (and the Spurs renounce the remainder of their free agents, besides Leonard).
The Spurs have been linked to unrestricted free agent All-Stars - and potential Duncan replacements - LaMarcus Aldridge and Marc Gasol throughout the season. Earlier this week, Grantland's Zach Lowe reported that the Spurs might get a meeting with Aldridge this summer.
As for Leonard, a Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year exploding into superstardom, San Antonio provides an opportunity to perennially contend while avoiding the media fish bowl that exists in bigger markets.
In many ways, Leonard and the Spurs are a match made in heaven. Why wouldn't they ensure that partnership continues?