Danny Green Joins Kawhi in Relationships Gone Awry

Photo via chatsports.com

When Kawhi Leonard was traded from San Antonio to Toronto, you probably thought the feud with the Spurs was over. Not so fast! Teammate Danny Green appears to have joined his side of the debate, as numerous reports state that he unknowingly played with a torn groin last season.

Kawhi's story has been well documented throughout the season, although it hasn't necessarily reached a resolution. He was traded to the Raptors, along with Green, in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a 2019 (top 20 protected) first round draft pick. While that split the two parties, it did nothing to repair the relationship. Green may not have understood the debate Leonard was having with the organization at the time, but now it's all too real.

The 3-and-D specialist suffered a groin strain on December 8 against the Boston Celtics, and then proceeded to miss 10 of the next 17 games. While it's impossible to know for sure when the groin tear occurred, it was almost certainly at least linked to this.

In 2017–2018, Green's two-point, three-point, and free throw percentages all dropped compared to the prior season, as well as his assists and steals per game. His scoring output did increase, but that was due to more than a 20 percent increase in shot attempts per game with Leonard primarily out of the mix.

It has always seemed that Leonard and Green were attached at the hip as two-way stars. Leonard would've never taken off as much offensively if Green wasn't there to occasionally take on a larger role on the defensive end, Green's offensive efficiency was higher with Leonard, and having two star defenders at the wing positions allows great matchup flexibility, providing All NBA-level defense on all players 1–4 on the floor. Neither of their values would be as high without the other (hence the trade), and now it appears that they share an additional bond: a grudge against their former employer.

With this news breaking, it seems increasingly likely that Tony Parker signing a two year, $10 million deal with the Hornets had less to do with finances and more to do with getting out of San Antonio. Although he took (what was considered to be) a shot at Leonard during the season for not playing through an injury that he believed was less severe than one he recently suffered, he likely still sensed the disrespect that their franchise player was being given.

Tim Duncan was kept around from start to finish, and Manu Ginobili is currently receiving the same treatment. That doesn't match up with Kawhi's situation, but it also contradicts what Parker himself was forced to endure. Upon his return from the aforementioned leg injury, he was sent to the second unit in favor of Dejounte Murray. While that would still afford him more playing time than suiting up behind Kemba Walker in Charlotte, it couldn't have sat well with him.

It is entirely plausible that Parker simply wanted to get away from Leonard, who was still under contract with the Spurs at the time. However, this whole debacle seems too convoluted from the top down to be about the relationship between the two players.

This is undeniably a bad look for the Spurs, and it won't be easy to repair their image. Sure, they can fire the medical staff, but many will assume this to be an organizational failure — if not an outright cover-up — until it's proven to not be.

Will San Antonio clean house? That would mean Gregg Popovich, General Manager R.C. Buford and the veteran Ginobili (who also attacked Leonard) would likely all have to leave. Are the Spurs really willing to accept that much of the blame? Historically, premier franchises opt not to do so, but something to that effect may be necessary.

Whether they blow the organization up or not, the "Spurs way" as we know it, which was built upon trust, has come and gone. In regards to DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge and company, best of luck, because this could get even uglier.