Lakers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Appears Increasingly Unlikely To Pick LA Over Raptors, Clippers, Knicks

When the Los Angeles Lakers agreed to trade for Anthony Davis with the possibility of still having a max salary slot, the idea that Kawhi Leonard could help form a super-team in L.A. started to gain some traction. There were even some reports that indicated the 2019 NBA Finals MVP would strongly consider the possibility of playing with Davis and LeBron James.

With just 10 days remaining until the start of free agency, it’s starting to sound like that speculation was premature. The odds of Leonard agreeing to play for the Lakers seem to be slim at best.

The Los Angeles Clippers were considered the heavy favorites in the Kawhi Leonard Sweepstakes during the regular season. The Toronto Raptors seemingly made it a two-team race with their playoff run, and the defending champs might now be in the driver’s seat after winning their first-ever title.

The New York Knicks should at least get a meeting with Leonard, according to multiple reports, but they appear to be a very distant third in the race for the NBA’s most sought-after free agent.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said Wednesday that the Clippers are still the frontrunners ahead of the Raptors. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst painted a slightly different picture on “Get Up” Thursday morning, indicating that the most likely scenario might be Leonard signing a short-term contract with Toronto.

Neither report mentioned the Lakers as a real threat for Leonard.

If the Lakers are able to create the $32.5 million in cap space necessary to sign a max free agent, they are more likely to pay Kemba Walker or Jimmy Butler. Walker has little to no chance of competing for a title by staying with the Charlotte Hornets. The Philadelphia 76ers might be wary of paying the injury-prone Butler a full max contract.

The most likely scenario for the Lakers probably involves spending their remaining cap space on a few roles players instead of one All-Star. The likes of Danny Green, Patrick Beverley and JJ Redick are thought to be options for Los Angeles.

Going that route might be the smartest move for the Lakers. They already have enough star power to compete for a title. The team is in desperate need of depth. The Raptors showed just how important it is to have more than just a few reliable players in the postseason.

Acquiring Leonard would be the exception. He might be the best player in the league. If the Lakers can sign him, they should do it and figure out the rest.

It just sounds like it’s much more likely that the Lakers will be going up against Leonard in the playoffs than it is that he will be trying to help them win a title.