NBA notebook: Spurs' Leonard reportedly seeking trade

Both the San Antonio Express-News and ESPN cited league sources in reporting
that Leonard is determined to play elsewhere despite an Express-News report
earlier this week that said a plan is in place for the sides to sit down and
discuss "any issues or concerns Leonard may have, and hopefully come to a
decision" about a possible five-year, $219 million supermax extension that the
two-time first-team All-NBA guard is eligible to sign this offseason.

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, which limited him to just nine games. The two
have reportedly had conversations, but haven't met in person.

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

--The NBA sent a memo to all 30 teams saying the draft's "eligibility rules"
could change as soon as 2021 based on a review of issues "related to player
development and the corruption investigation in college basketball," according
to an ESPN report.

According to ESPN, the memo does not specifically mention the league's
one-and-done rule -- which currently prevents players from entering the NBA
until age 19 or a year removed from high school -- but it indicates that rule
could be eliminated "prior to the 2021 or 2022 draft." The memo presented the
information in the context of next week's NBA draft, per ESPN, serving as a
reminder to teams that could be considering trading future picks in the lead
up to the draft.

According to USA Today, the league does not anticipate changes to its
eligibility rules before the 2021 or 2022 drafts, but nevertheless noted the
possibility in the memo. No changes will happen before 2021, according to
multiple reports.

--The NBA will again honor one of its all-time greats at its second-annual
awards show on June 25.

Oscar Robertson, the first player to average a triple-double for a season,
will be given the NBA's Lifetime Achievement Award. Boston Celtics legend Bill
Russell won the award last year.

The Hall of Famer finished his career with 181 triple-doubles, which is still
a record. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook is the only other
player to average a triple-double, having done it the past two seasons, but
his first came 55 years after Robertson did it.

--Field Level Media