NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Kawhi Leonard

TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles as he is guarded by Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks at Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors handles the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 14, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Los Angeles Lakers

When Leonard’s relationship deteriorated with the Spurs to the point where he requested a trade last summer, he reportedly preferred to be sent to the Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN.com’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski.

LeBron James’ arrival in L.A. may have altered Leonard’s thinking.

During an appearance on the Back to Back podcast last July, ESPN.com’s Michael C. Wright said (via Bleacher Report’s Alec Nathan) that the Lakers were “not Kawhi’s preferred destination anymore. He wants to go to the Clippers. Because he doesn’t want to go and be second fiddle to LeBron.” Wright later echoed that same sentiment on a podcast with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst in March (via B/R’s Adam Wells).

While Leonard could become the face of the Los Angeles Clippers if he signed with them in free agency, he’d have to share co-billing (at best) with LeBron on the Lakers. Leonard, who vanquished James and the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals, might prefer the stability of the Clippers over the rampant dysfunction that has engulfed the Lakers in recent years.

That hasn’t stopped James from trying to woo Leonard. According to Windhorst, LeBron has “had contact” with both Leonard and Jimmy Butler as he ramps up his recruiting efforts in the wake of a lost first season in L.A.

The Lakers would have just enough salary-cap space to sign Leonard to a max deal if they renounce the rights to all of their free agents, and they have a number of intriguing young players to package in a trade for a third star. If the Southern California native insists upon returning to L.A. and wants to join a ready-made Big Three, the Lakers could be of interest.

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