Celtics Rumors: Boston Will 'Keep an Eye' on Kawhi Leonard and San Antonio

Last week's report by Yahoo Sports' Shams Charania revealing that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio apparently caught the attention of Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on a 2018 NBA mock draft show (h/t Twitter user BlazersBySagar), Boston will keep an eye on Leonard's situation.

Wojnarowski noted last week that the Celtics would be interested should San Antonio make the former NBA Finals MVP available, revealing that they inquired about him at the trade deadline. 

Leonard and the Spurs dealt with plenty of drama this past season. The 26-year-old forward played in just nine games due to a quad injury, and the handling of said injury has resulted in "mistrust" between the player and the organization, per Charania.

San Antonio can offer Leonard a five-year, $219 million super-max extension this summer. But given all of the drama that played out in 2017-18, the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year's reported desire to leave may see him leave money on the table.

Boston is coming off a season in which it was within one game of the NBA Finals—without Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward. Adding those two All-Stars back into the mix could be better than any potential trade. However, there is arguably no team in better position to pull off a blockbuster deal.

The Celtics have plenty of young talent (like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown), plenty of future draft picks and possibly expendable veterans (Irving and Hayward). 

Irving is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, and he recently said it "wouldn't make any sense" to sign an extension with Boston this offseason. He could potentially sign an even bigger deal if he waits until next offseason—but the Celtics may not be willing to risk losing him for nothing. San Antonio was on the wish list ESPN's Chris Haynes reported Irving had given the Cleveland Cavaliers when he requested a trade last offseason.

Leonard has one more guaranteed season on his deal, so the Spurs don't have to trade him. If they do choose to deal their star, though, any potential suitor would likely want to know if he'd re-sign with them. Wojnarowski made it clear Leonard wants to play in his hometown of Los Angeles.