Report: Sixers have made an offer for Spurs’ Leonard

Free agency begins in just a few days on July 1, but one of the biggest stories surrounding the NBA right now isn't the free agent market, but rather the trade market for Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. The Philadelphia 76ers have been linked to Leonard since he's requested a trade out of San Antonio and the organization has the young pieces to put together an attractive package to acquire Kawhi. According to ESPN, the Sixers are among five teams that have already made an offer to the Spurs for Leonard.

The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and LA Clippers are among teams who've made offers to the Spurs for Leonard, league sources said. The Lakers, the franchise that Leonard wants to be traded to, did not have a good initial conversation with the Spurs, ESPN reported recently.

While the Lakers came away feeling like San Antonio "shut the door on us" and the conversation never progressed or included a formal trade offer, the Spurs haven't ruled out sending Leonard to any destination, league sources said.

Previous reports have said that Leonard prefers to go to Los Angeles, leading people to believe that any other team that trades for him might just be for a one year rental. If that is the case, the Lakers may have the best chance at landing Leonard. According to the ESPN story, the Lakers have expressed a willingness to teams to take on salary for the opportunity of acquiring a future first-rounder that could make a package for Leonard even better.

In most trade scenarios involving the Sixers, a combination of Dario Saric, Markelle Fultz and Robert Covington have been mentioned along with future picks. On draft night, Philadelphia acquired a 2021 unprotected first-round pick that Brett Brown mentioned could be a key to a trade this summer.

In any trade for Kawhi Leonard, teams will need to doe their due diligence on his health and make sure he's a good fit as well in the locker room after this debacle between him and the Spurs.

Brandon Apter is a contributor to 97.3 ESPN and managing editor at SportsTalkPhilly.com. Follow him on Twitter @bapter23.