Lakers Rumors: If Kawhi Leonard Picks Raptors Or Clippers, Danny Green, Marcus Morris Could Go To LA

Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors — Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors runs down the floor in the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. Rob Carr/Getty Images

Most of the NBA’s best free agents have agreed to sign contracts, but a few dominoes are expected to fall when Kawhi Leonard finally makes his decision. The futures of Danny Green and Marcus Morris appear to hinge on the 2019 NBA Finals MVP.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors are all in pursuit of Leonard. They are also among the contenders to sign Green and Morris.

With $32 million in salary cap space, the Lakers are going to come away with someone. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski noted on “Get Up” Friday morning that Green and Morris could both sign with the Lakers if Leonard signs with another team.

Green is considering signing with the Lakers, Raptors or Dallas Mavericks. Green said earlier this offseason that he’d like to return to Toronto if Leonard re-signs with the defending champions, though he’s since indicated on his “Inside the Green Room” podcast that he’s intrigued by the idea of playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

For those insisting Danny should take the Mavs offer, there is no assurance that offer won’t be as good as the Lakers offer or Raptors ... He’s the best player left at his position on the market ... he’ll get his chance to truly evaluate his options soon ... after Kawhi
— Harrison D. Sanford (@HarrisonSanford) July 4, 2019

Because the Lakers will have limited ways to spend their money without Leonard on the roster, Los Angeles might surpass Toronto’s offer to Green by a good margin. The Mavericks will have the upper hand in the race for Green if the Lakers sign Leonard and the Raptors aren’t bringing back their superstar.

The Lakers should have more than enough cap space to sign both Green and Morris if Leonard goes elsewhere. It probably helps that Morris is a client of Klutch Sports, which also represents James and Davis.

Los Angeles might be Morris’ most likely destination, no matter what Leonard does. If Leonard signs with the Lakers, the Clippers make sense as a landing spot for Morris.

L.A.’s second team is hoping to use their max salary slot on Leonard. Morris is obviously the much, much less productive player, though he plays the same position as Leonard and is coming off the best season of his career.

The Raptors don’t have any salary cap space.

DeMarcus Cousins is arguably the best free agent available not named Kawhi Leonard. He could end up with the Lakers or Clippers, but Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that the former Golden State Warriors’ big man could have trouble even finding an offer for the mid-level exception.

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