Lakers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Buzz Is Growing Stronger, But Decision Might Not Come For A Few Days

There is growing speculation that Kawhi Leonard will end up signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. The organization once felt like a distant third to the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors in the race to sign the league’s best free agent, but it would no longer come as a surprise if the 2019 NBA Finals MVP decides to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard has reported that the Lakers are the favorites to land Leonard. Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, who had previously pegged the Brooklyn Nets as the frontrunners to acquire Kevin Durant, has indicated that the Lakers now have the best chance to sign the most sought-after player in basketball.

Lakers’ fans were waiting for the news to drop Monday night that Leonard had inked a contract with the storied franchise. A few unsubstantiated rumors of Leonard agreeing to form a new “Big 3” in L.A. gained steam, and “Kawhi is a Laker” began to trend on Twitter.

Those claims weren’t proven to be true, though it doesn’t mean Leonard won’t end up with the Lakers eventually.

FOX Sports’ Cris Carter appears to be more plugged into Leonard’s camp than most. The former NFL star said on “First Things First” Tuesday that Leonard still plans to meet with the Lakers, Clippers and Raptors, noting that a final decision might not come until after July 4.

On Sunday, Carter speculated that it was a two-team race between the Lakers and Raptors.

The Lakers are the overwhelming favorites to win the 2020 NBA Finals. The team had 7/4 championship odds Monday afternoon at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook. The Lakers were given even odds to win the title Tuesday morning, putting them well ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks—they rank second—and their 6/1 odds.

The shift was a clear response to the buzz that Leonard might actually sign with the Lakers.

A team with Leonard, James and Davis in the same starting lineup could be virtually unstoppable. James was the consensus No.1 player in the world a year ago. Leonard proved to be as good as anyone this past postseason. Davis is regarded as a top-10 player, at worst, and he might get even better playing alongside two superstars.

The Clippers and Raptors are hoping that they can prevent the Lakers from becoming the dominant force in the NBA for years to come.