NBA Rumors: San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard To Recruit Russell Westbrook; LaMarcus Aldridge, Danny Green Eye Super Team

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
May 28, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) enters the arena before the game against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena.  Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs are considered one of the best basketball teams in the NBA. In fact, a number of fans believed that Kawhi Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and Danny Green could have dethroned the Golden State Warriors. However, this proved to be wrong when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook shocked the league by eliminating the Tim Duncan squad. Although this may be disheartening to San Antonio Spurs fans, it looks like a plan is on its way to solve their Western Conference woes.

Reports are circulating that the Kevin Durant free agency has attracted the San Antonio Spurs. While playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge would be amazing for KD, the Tony Parker squad faces incredible competition from the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Even the Golden State Warriors are reportedly aiming to sign Durant to form a super team including Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. So where does this leave the San Antonio Spurs?

Rumors are rife that the Manu Ginobili squad now target a different future free agent. Surprisingly, this NBA star is also from the Oklahoma City Thunder roster. If Kevin Durant is nearly impossible to sign, reports indicate that the San Antonio Spurs are eyeing the possibility of luring Russell Westbrook into joining the team. Is this possible?

In terms of salary cap space, yes. The San Antonio Spurs have been reportedly subtly easing the take over of its younger stars in the roster from the Big Three composed of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. This became apparent in the 2015-16 NBA season when the entry of former Portland Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge paved the way for another set of Big Three to reign. In addition to Aldridge, the San Antonio Spurs also hailed Leonard and Green as leaders of the group.

"Fortunately, Tim, Tony and Manu are men of character who saw, welcomed and understood the change," shared Gregg Popovich of his players. The San Antonio Spurs head coach added, "I didn't have to make any speeches. It was just like the way David saw things or the way Manu and Tony made us more of a penetrate-and-pitch team."

If Durant does go to the Golden State Warriors and Westbrook follows suit once the latter hits free agency, will they really be better off there with Stephen Curry than with Kawhi Leonard? Or can the San Antonio Spurs offer them better opportunities to not only bag a championship but also gain valuable experience playing alongside remarkable stars.

"LeBron and Kawhi Leonard are, to me, the two best players in the world," said Charles Barkley in an interview. The former NBA star added, "Steph Curry's the best offensive player in the world. ... [They're] better all-around. If you actually watch the Warriors play, Klay Thompson always guards the best guard. That's not a knock. Larry Bird wasn't a great defender, Magic Johnson wasn't a great defender. But they're still probably two of the 10 greatest players ever. Steph is amazing, and that's not hating on him."

What do you think? Should Russell Westbrook consider joining the San Antonio Spurs once he hits free agency? If so, do you think he should start convincing Kevin Durant to sign with the Kawhi Leonard team soon?

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