Fansided

The Whiteboard: Kawhi Leonard is probably going to end up a Los Angeles Laker

By Ti Windisch

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket as he gets past Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of the game at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Spurs won 119-98. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket as he gets past Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half of the game at Staples Center on February 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Spurs won 119-98. 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. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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The San Antonio Spurs tried valiantly to avoid forming another Western Conference super team, but it seems like Kawhi Leonard is destined to go to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs do not want to send Kawhi Leonard anywhere, and they certainly do not want to send him to the rival Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately for San Antonio, Kawhi has finally flexed his superstar muscles and is probably going to end up in Los Angeles.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time a star forward has said they would leave any team that traded for them in a year to go to Los Angeles. Paul George said the same before the Indiana Pacers sent him to Oklahoma City, and there’s a real chance George ends up re-upping in OKC. There is merit to the idea of winning over a player before they actually hit free agency.

The Lakers didn’t really offer much for George last summer because of his stated intention to end up there no matter what. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka can’t be that patient this time around, mostly because LeBron James is not going to be the first star heading to Hollywood.

They need a big win to swing their perfect summer. They need Kawhi specifically, now that George is making his free agency into a mini-series and might not even leave the Thunder. Los Angeles having that King-sized motivation means Kawhi to L.A. makes the most sense.

Even if there’s a chance a different team could convince Kawhi to stick around, that’s one hell of a role of the dice. The Boston Celtics have proven stars, up-and-coming stars, and plenty of draft picks. They don’t need to do a damn thing to contend now and later.

The Philadelphia 76ers are somewhat more interesting. Philly has a lot of young mouths to feed these days, and Markelle Fultz was reportedly available on draft day. If there’s a team willing to match the Lakers’ offer, it could be Philly.

Then again, the 76ers don’t have a GM thanks to Bryan Colangelo’s love for burner accounts on Twitter. There are other suitors for Kawhi Leonard out there, but none of them make sense like the Lakers do.

Next: 20 best free agents available

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