Lakers sign LeBron James and a Kawhi Leonard trade feels all but inevitable now
LeBron James is headed to the Lakers and it could only be a matter of time until Kawhi Leonard follows him to Hollywood.
LeBron James is signing with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year deal that will pay him $154 million. This move seemed to be inevitable after months of speculation that he would leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and head to L.A. where he owns a home and where he can align his business interests.
His legacy is already written as one of the two or three best players to ever play the game, but the same can’t be said for Kawhi Leonard who could soon be his teammate with the Lake Show.
Just as LeBron to the Lakers felt like an inevitability, the same can now be said for Leonard joining James in L.A.
The disgruntled star of the Spurs has been adamant about wanting a trade out of San Antonio with the Lakers the only team he’s willing to play for. The Spurs hold very little leverage in this situation and despite the Philadelphia 76ers expressing an interest in Leonard and possibly the Celtics too, now that the Eastern Conference doesn’t have LeBron to go through.
With one domino falling with LeBron joining the Lakers, it should only be a matter of time until the Lakers work out a trade to land Leonard and form the newest super team to try to dethrone Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Sources: As trade talks have unfolded, Kawhi Leonard’s focus is unchanged: He wants to be a Laker. https://t.co/0wZGf5MrNt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
The Lakers young core, including Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball are undoubtedly excited to land LeBron right now, but in the back of their mind, they all have to be wondering if they will actually get the chance to suit up with King James.
The Spurs would prefer not to trade Leonard at all, especially to a Western Conference team, but they also know this relationship is beyond repair and they have to do the trade that will net them the best return.
If Magic Johnson wants to include around 3-5 first round picks and a few players off the roster, that just might be the best offer they are going to get.
LeBron and Leonard on the Lakers has a nice ring to it and you can expect the second domino to fall in the coming days with a trade sending the former Finals MVP to L.A.