NBA notebook: Cavs, Suns reportedly eyeing Leonard

With the clock ticking for the Cleveland
Cavaliers, the team reached out to the San Antonio Spurs to inquire about
Kawhi Leonard's availability via trade, per Cleveland.com.

A separate report from The Athletic linked the Phoenix Suns to Leonard.
However, the Arizona Republic said any interest from Suns general manager Ryan
McDonough would not include trading the No. 1 overall pick in this week's
draft.

Reports surfaced over the weekend that Leonard is determined to play elsewhere
despite an Express-News report earlier that said a plan was in place for the
All-Star to sit down and discuss "any issues or concerns Leonard may have."
Per ESPN, Leonard was supposed to meet with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich this
week to resolve tension that arose during the All-Star's lengthy absence last
season due to quadriceps tendinopathy. The two have reportedly had
conversations, but haven't met in person.

An ESPN report said Leonard has his eye on playing in Los Angeles, preferably
for the Lakers. It added that the Boston Celtics -- who made trade overtures
for Leonard before the trade deadline -- are expected to be a major suitor.

--Puma is making a major play to get back in the world of basketball, and the
company took a big step by inking possible No. 1 overall draft pick DeAndre
Ayton to an endorsement deal.

Ayton, who is considered the favorite to be the Suns' choice with the first
overall pick in Thursday's draft, said part of the company's appeal to him was
its presence in the Caribbean, where Puma-signed stars Usain Bolt (Jamaica)
and Rihanna (Barbados) are from, and where Ayton (Bahamas) was born and lived
until age 12.

"Puma is pretty popular in the Bahamas," Ayton said, per ESPN. "I've always
seen the brand growing up. is one of the first people I saw with the
brand. It's important to me that someone I identify with and admire as an
athlete is with the same brand."

--Michael Porter Jr. is willing to accept invitations for workouts with NBA
teams unconvinced the former Missouri forward has overcome health concerns.

Last week, Porter canceled a second pro day workout designed to show teams his
physical progress. Porter said Monday in an ESPN Radio interview that reports
about his health following the cancellation were overblown, adding he's good
to go physically and willing to showcase his health to any team that asks.

"I feel good," Porter said. "I got evaluated. I let the doctors come in and do
all their tests on me. I'm feeling good. I think the teams are comfortable but
I might get a couple workouts in. ...I was just sore and I wanted to take a
couple of days off. So that's all that was."

--Rudy Gay will opt out of the final year of his contract with the Spurs to
enter free agency, according to an ESPN report.

Gay was scheduled to earn $8.8 million in 2018-19.

Entering his 13th season, Gay turns 32 in August. He played primarily off the
bench last season for the first time in his career, averaging 11.5 points and
5.1 rebounds per game in 57 games (six starts).

--Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jamal Crawford declined a $4.5 million player
option for next season and will become a free agent in July, according to a
Yahoo Sports report.

Crawford joined the Timberwolves last season after considering returning to
the Los Angeles Clippers while also drawing interest from the Lakers,
Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

The 38-year-old averaged 10.3 points per game in 20.7 minutes per game with
Minnesota last season.

--Field Level Media