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Four teams that could steal Kawhi Leonard from the Toronto Raptors

By William Ricks

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors stands for the National Anthem on December 14, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Lakers

The L.A. Lakers looking for another star to join LeBron James and Anthony Davis out west, and Kawhi Leonard would make nearly a perfect fit.

It’s no secret that Kawhi would like to play out in Los Angeles. It would be a homecoming of sorts for Leonard, as he is a Southern California native, even playing his college ball at San Diego State. Also, the weather in L.A would be an upgrade for him when compared to Toronto’s.

When Kawhi was going through his drama in San Antonio, it was reported that he informed teams who were looking to trade for him that he would sign would with an L.A. team the next offseason, preferably the Lakers.

The Clippers have emerged as the more likely L.A. team that will sign Leonard, but would he really pass up a chance to play with King James and Anthony Davis?

James seems to be already putting the thought of being a Laker in Kawhi’s mind, as he was heard telling Kawhi that “we’ll be in touch,” after they played each other on March 14 in Toronto.

The Lakers only potential roadblock in signing the Klaw is their cap space situation.

L.A. shook up the entire league when they made the trade for Pelicans forward Anthony Davis. They traded away three future first-round picks (including the #4 pick in this year’s draft), Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart in return for Davis. How does that trade affect Kawhi and the Lakers?

The Lakers/Pelicans trade will be made official on July 6. If this stays the date the trade is official, L.A will only have $23.7 million in cap space for the offseason. Now according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, if the trade isn’t made official until July 30th, the Lakers could have $32.5 million in cap space. That would be just enough for a max contract. Anthony Davis could also waive his $4 million trade bonus, allowing the Los Angeles a little more wiggle room. Whether he actually does this is another story.

If the deal does indeed happen on July 6, it’s almost a certainty Kawhi will not go to the Lakers. However, if the Lakers are able to convince the Pelicans to push the deal back (whether that includes another asset going out or something else), there is a chance Kawhi could team up to make a “Big three” in L.A.

Even with their cap space issues, the Lakers are ready to make their move on Kawhi. Even after the AD trade, the Lakers are still planning to pursue Kawhi in free agency.

Imagining a team with The Klaw, The King, and The Brow is something extraordinary. That big three would for sure be one of the favorites to come out of the western conference. The Lakers would have three of the top five players in the world on one team. That frontcourt would be one of the best the league has ever seen.

A duo of LeBron and Leonard would quite scary, as both players are all-around stars on the court. Now you throw in a generational talent in Davis in the mix and it becomes unfair for the rest of the league. LeBron wouldn’t have to shoulder the load and Davis and Kawhi could be the perfect co-stars in Hollywood with him. With James turning 35 next season, he’s gonna need running mates capable of handling the scoring load, and score in different ways.

The Lakers have a small, but still very possible chance of getting the Klaw this offseason. They would need to work with the cap space they have, but it’s possible. They have the stars in LeBron and AD to put him with, and the possibility of playing for one of the league’s most storied franchises all have L.A. as a possible landing spot for the Klaw. Being able to go home would be the cherry on top. LeBron and company better put together a great presentation ready for him.