Superstar Forward Kawhi Leonard reportedly wants out of San Antonio, although he has not yet asked directly to be traded from the Spurs, according to Chris Haynes and Adrian Wojnarowski.
Kawhi allegedly wants to move either to one of the Los Angeles basketball franchises or to New York, but the Lakers are his top choice.
San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard has Los Angeles — preferably the Lakers — at the center of his preferences for a trade destination, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 15, 2018
There are more than a few teams who can offer a better package to San Antonio for Kawhi than the Knicks can (assuming they don’t include Porzingis), but people close to Leonard have expressed a desire for Leonard to play in New York, per sources. https://t.co/CTs0ISkKXv
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 15, 2018
Unless the Knicks are prepared to give up Porzingis, they will not end up with Kawhi Leonard. Those who are close to Kawhi have expressed interest in him moving to New York, however.
The LA Lakers are very interesting, as the team has both cap space and young pieces to move.
What would it take to get Leonard to LA? A trade package would most likely be centered around either Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma, who both play similar positions to Leonard.
The Lakers have long been rumored to be in on both LeBron James and Paul George.
The Lakers could be more open to moving Kuzma, who has less potential than Ingram and was recently told to stop roasting his teammate, Lonzo Ball.
Perhaps the Spurs would insist on Lonzo. He has the highest upside of the Lakers. Perhaps the Spurs’ culture could silence LaVar Ball. This is all speculation, of course.
If the Lakers acquired Leonard, they would be in a much better position to land LeBron James in free agency. Imagine those two on the same team? Holy two-way talent!
The following deal would get Leonard to the Lakers:
- One of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, or Lonzo Ball.
- Josh Hart, a young player who is a little more of a lottery ticket.
- A future first-round pick, most likely a 2020 pick.
Things could move quickly as the draft approaches.
Other teams could technically still swoop in and blow San Antonio away, but in a perfect world, Kawhi and LeBron will pair up in LA this fall.
Featured Image via Flickr/SD Dirk
