Speaking publicly last week for the first time since Kawhi Leonard requested a trade, San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said the team's number one option was to keep the player and look to repair their relationship with him.Head coach Gregg Popovich recently had a face-to-face meeting with the All-Star in a bid to build bridges and attempt to convince him to change his mind.But the team's obvious efforts appear to be in vain as Leonard is reportedly unwilling to change his stance as he's desperate to move on.It now seems that the Spurs have been left with little choice but to accept this and soften their stance.

Exploring the best options

According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, "they're ready" to move on from the superstar and explore a trade.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that they're fully engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.

Another team hoping to quickly join the mix is the Philadelphia 76ers.

Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated claims that the Sixers are putting together a trade package to acquire the small forward.

Via Fischer:

"Philadelphia has held serious internal discussions about acquiring Leonard over the last 48 hours.

"The front office has presented team ownership with several trade scenarios for discussion, sources say.

"... Philadelphia's internal discussions have focused on potential trade packages offering various young players and future draft selections.

"One team source says preliminary discussions with San Antonio revealed the Spurs have strong interest in a package involving burgeoning forwards Dario Saric and Robert Covington as well as a future first-round pick."

Fischer reports that the 76ers are weighing up the possibility of adding the Miami Heat's 2021 first-round pick that they acquired from the Phoenix Suns on draft night.

A move for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year makes all the sense in the world for Philly as they're on the cusp of joining the elite teams in the NBA.

The addition of the 26-year-old would only enhance them and put them in championship contention.

Bringing in one of the best two-way players in the league to feature alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid would give the team a formidable big three.

But before Sixers fans start dreaming, this is a long way from happening and the franchise would have to make an offer first.

The Spurs would then have to decide if it's a better deal than what the Lakers and Celtics have to offer.

The Texas-based outfit could even drag things out until the mid-season February trade deadline but that would be a risky move as teams will be unwilling to part with many assets for a player entering the final four months of his contract.

Therefore, all signs point towards a blockbuster trade taking place in the near future.

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