Can the Sixers even offer the Spurs enough for Kawhi Leonard?

By Josh Liddick, Sports Talk Philly editor 

There's no questioning the Sixers have legitimate interest in one of the NBA's best star small forwards. And let's not forget just how good of a fit he would be in Brett Brown's system. Both offensively and defensively, there is so much good that could come out of this possible trade.

But how realistic of a trade package could the Philadelphia 76ers offer the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard?

On the surface, compared to other teams that are considered to be players in the trade, not as much. In fact, on paper, the Lakers look like one of the more likely destinations for Leonard because of the amount of expendable young players that have a ton of potential that would make the loss of Leonard a little less painful. The Spurs already have a few young, talented players in Dejounte Murray, Kyle Anderson, and veteran LaMarcus Aldridge. Adding in players like Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball into the fold could do wonders for a team that is looking at a possible rebuilding situation for the first time in over 20 years.

There's no doubt the Lakers could use a player like Kawhi Leonard in their lineup if they're ready to go big-time in 2018. They also would have the cap space to make a move for both Paul George and LeBron James putting them on par to compete for a title with the Warriors and Rockets next season.

Although Leonard is interested in heading to Los Angeles and joining the Lakers, there's just no proof that Magic Johnson would be interested in parting with his young core. He may just be banking on free agency to sign George, LeBron, or both.

If you go through the teams that are filled with assets enough to offer the Spurs a decent package for Leonard, the Sixers are another one of those teams with enough players to make Gregg Popovich salivate with interest.

At this point, all moves and signings are handled by Sixers' interim general manager and head coach Brett Brown. While having a permanent GM would be a nice luxury, you have to trust that Brown will do the best thing for his team and players.

Assessing all the tradeable assets the Sixers have, Markelle Fultz, Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and every other player the Sixers have besides Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons could be flipped to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard.

Those players, along with six draft picks in this Thursday's draft alone, along with three stash players (Jonah Bolden, Anzejs Pasecniks, and Mathias Lessort) could be in play for a possible trade.

But who the Sixers might trade is a little different than who they should trade.

In a realistic scenario, it's going to take an awful lot of valuable players and draft picks to sway the Spurs away from a young player package the Lakers may offer. Markelle Fultz almost has to be featured in the deal. No matter what you believe his trade value is, he is worth something to someone, and his potential almost automatically makes him a valuable property. I believe Brown has yet to give up on Fultz, which is why I don't believe the defacto Sixers' GM will move the young point guard at this time.

Robert Covington provides valuable minutes on defense, a testament to his All-Defense first team selection this season. He also has a knack for being streaky shooting the ball, but when he's on fire, he's on fire.

I personally wouldn't want to see Dario Saric go, but if it's enough to put the trade over-the-top, you may have to lose him in the process of getting Leonard.

While Fultz, Covington, and the No. 10 pick are good enough, I don't know if it will be enough to top what the Lakers could provide in a trade for Kawhi.

At that juncture, if the Sixers really want Leonard, Saric has to be in the deal. He's a valuable player for the Sixers, but could also be valuable to the Spurs roster as well.

Fultz is a project, Covington is established defensively, but can be a liability on offense, and Saric is already a great offensive player and a solid player on defense as well.

Right now, everything is on the table for the Sixers in terms of an offer for Leonard, but nothing is set in stone. There are no rumors of what the team may do to pursue the former NBA Finals MVP and all this talk about trading young players is purely speculative. But in order to compete with what the Lakers can offer, everything has to be discussed.

The question remains: Can Will the Sixers even offer the Spurs enough for Kawhi Leonard?

We will have to wait and see.