Would Hornets pursue All-Star Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly wants Spurs to trade him?

Two-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard appears headed out of San Antonio and the Charlotte Hornets would undoubtedly be interested.

Hornets owner Michael Jordan told The Observer in January that he'd only consider trading point guard Kemba Walker for another established All-Star. Jordan specifically mentioned Leonard as the level of player it would take to justify trading Walker.

Now, Leonard is on the market following numerous reports Friday afternoon that he wants off the Spurs' roster. Many of those reports say Leonard ideally would end up in Los Angeles (He's a southern California native who attended San Diego State).

Leonard and Walker can be unrestricted free agents in the foreseeable future. That could complicate any potential trade involving either one, since the team receiving a veteran All-Star would want some confidence that player would re-sign there. Walker becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season. Leonard has a player option, worth about $21 million, for next season on his current contract.

Is there opportunity here for the Hornets? Potential factors:

▪ Could Leonard, a 6-foot-7 small forward, be sold on a long-term future in Charlotte? Would Jordan's presence make a difference in such a sales pitch as a former iconic player? Would it help that new Hornets coach James Borrego has a relationship with Leonard as a former Spurs assistant?

▪ Is Walker of interest to the Spurs, enough so that they would want not only to trade for him but be prepared to offer him a huge raise over his current $12 million salary after next season? The Spurs are developing a young point guard in Dejounte Murray.

▪ Would dealing with an Eastern Conference team be more desirable for the Spurs, so that Leonard wouldn't strengthen one of the Spurs' rivals in the West?

▪ What would the Hornets have to do to make the Spurs a viable offer that would also work under the salary cap? Would the Spurs expect the 11th pick in Thursday's draft, as well as Walker? Would the Spurs be interested in the expiring contract of center Dwight Howard, who makes more than $23 million next season?

This story was originally published June 15, 2018 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Would Hornets pursue All-Star Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly wants Spurs to trade him?."