76ers have expressed interest in Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, report says

The Sixers have expressed interest in Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard and the Thunder’s Paul George, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Inquirer’s report cited unidentified league sources.

Leonard, a two-time All-Star, appeared in just nine games for San Antonio in 2017-18 because of an injured right quad, and he had a tense relationship with the team throughout his rehab process, according to multiple reports.

A recent ESPN report indicated that the Spurs were worried Leonard and his advisors might try to force a trade to a bigger market.

George was traded from the Pacers to the Thunder in July. He averaged 21.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City this season. The 27-year-old is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent.

Sixers co-managing partner Josh Harris told The Inquirer the team would do whatever it takes financially to acquire a star player like George, Leonard or LeBron James.

“For a certain small number of players, we are going to go after them hard,” Harris said. “People have asked me about the luxury tax. I don’t have any problem spending for good players.”

Led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid — who combined to average 38.7 points and 19.1 rebounds per game — the Sixers finished the regular season with a 52-30 record and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2011-12. They topped the Heat in their opening-round series before falling to Boston in five games.

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said in a recent interview he thought the team needed to add to its core of Simmons and Embiid if it wanted to compete for an NBA title.