With 72 hours left to go, the inevitable began to unfold: a change in direction, a shift in tone. The Spurs had now engaged the Lakers in trade talks, and, for your information, had yet to rule any team out of contention. That is what the sources were saying, and they were saying it to the messengers who tend to traffic in official words. While cloaked in anonymity, their existence confirmed what should have been obvious from the beginning. The wind had shifted, and with it came the unmistakable scent of smoke.
At least, that seemed the most rational interpretation of the signals emanating from three corners of the country regarding the bidding for disgruntled superstar Kawhi Leonard.