the best tendon experts in the world to work with Parker as he recovered from quadriceps tendon surgery, and Leonard throughout his recovery process from right quadriceps tendinopathy. Their treatment proved effective for Parker, but not Leonard, who continues to rehab, yet still feels pain.

Leonard missed the first 27 games of the regular season, and returned to play in nine outings before the Spurs sidelined the forward indefinitely last month. Leonard has told the organization at various stages of his rehabilitation process that he wasn't comfortable with his ability to play through the injury, and that the Spurs should shut him down.

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Spurs star Kawhi Leonard has been medically cleared to return from a right quad tendinopathy injury, but he has elected against returning to the active rosterafter consulting with a specialist to get a second opinion, sources told ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard's difficult rehab is causing some issues between the All-Star and the Spurs' coaching staff.

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The team's medical staff had actually cleared Leonard to return before his Dec. 12 season debut at Dallas, according to sources, who said the forward bears the burden of determining when he's prepared to play again.

Despite the perception the organization might be pushing Leonard to return to action, that's not the case, according to multiple sources, as well as Parker.

"It's not the philosophy of the Spurs," Parker said. "Everybody knows that the Spurs, as an organization, will do anything for you to be safe, and to prolong your career. That's the philosophy, not to rush anybody. So, he'll come back