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NBA Rumors: 5 best landing spots for Kawhi Leonard

By Rucker Haringey

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 23: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense against the Dallas Mavericks on February 23, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers would obviously prefer to land LeBron James via free agency, but Leonard would be a heck of a consolation prize. Essentially, you an apply almost all of the reasons why James would be a good fit with the Lakers and make the same argument about Kawhi.

In some ways, it’s possible Leonard could even be a better it with the Lakers’ current personnel. Acquiring James would likely mean the end of Lonzo Ball’s time with the team. Leonard could slot perfectly into the lineup alongside the talented point guard.

Just imagine a Lakers’ starting five with Ball, Brandon Ingram, Leonard, Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez. That might require some additional moves to fit all that salary together, but that’s a lineup that could do serious damage in the West. Leonard would give the young Lakers’ corps the star they need to build around for the long haul.

Acquiring Leonard would also give the Lakers’ front office the star power they’ve been searching for since Kobe Bryant’s retirement. That wouldn’t be the team’s primary motivation for making this deal, but it would be a terrific sweetener. You certainly can’t rule out the Lakers’ chances of bringing Leonard to the City of Angels this summer.

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