Well, something was clearly off in San Antonio this year with how his recovery was (not) progressing and all the ambiguity.
Although i kinda just credited it to Pop just being Pop, i.e. being willing to sit Kawhi out for as long as possible if it means ensuring long term health, even if for next season. So if it is a D-Rose thing, that's surprising.
Now i remember a few years ago there were those media heads putting those stories out about whether Kawhi should "take less money" for the greater good like an aging Duncan and Manu had...

but that seemed more media-conjured and there seemed to be no issues between the actual sides involved in negotiation.