Kawhi Leonard told the Spurs earlier this month he wanted to be traded out of San Antonio after a season of reported tension, and it appears teammate Tony Parker played a big role in that decision.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe, the "last straw" for Leonard was the comments Parker made in March about the two-time All-Star's quad injury.
"The last straw for him, I was told was when Tony Parker made those comments about 'my quad injury was 100 times worse.' And if you remember shortly after, Kawhi Leonard left San Antonio and he didn't want to be a part of that media glare there and did not come back until the season was over with," Wojnarowski explained.
Lowe confirmed it, saying, "You've heard that, I've heard that."
Parker said in March: "I've been through it. It was rehab for me for eight months. Same kind of injury, but mine was 100 times worse, but the same kind of injury. You just try to stay positive."
Parker was referring to his potentially career-ending torn left quadriceps tendon, which took him out of the 2017 playoffs. He had surgery, missing the first 19 games but returned in November 2017.
One week after Parker's remarks, Leonard reportedly went to New York to rehab and had no timetable for a return to the Spurs. The handling of Leonard's injury created tension in the locker room as Leonard played only nine games during the 2017-18 season.
It was reported earlier this week that the Spurs are ready to move on from Leonard. San Antonio has been in talks with the Lakers and Celtics, according to ESPN.
