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NBA Free Agency 2019: 5 potential destinations for Kawhi Leonard

By Bryan Toporek

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)
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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptorsduring their game at the Barclays Center on December 07, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets drives against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptorsduring their game at the Barclays Center on December 07, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

3. Brooklyn Nets

Remove location from the equation, and the Brooklyn Nets have a far more enticing free-agent pitch to Leonard than the Lakers do.

Whereas the Lakers have missed the playoffs for six straight years and are mired in organizational chaos, the Nets have rebounded shockingly quickly from their disastrous acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce in 2013. Despite being largely devoid of high-lottery picks, the Nets finished 42-40 and earned the No. 6 seed in the East.

Led by All-Star guard D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn has a promising collection of young talent. Caris LeVert looked like a Most Improved Player candidate early in the season before he suffered a gruesome ankle injury, while second-year big man Jarrett Allen is teeming with upside. Throw in 27-year-old sharpshooter Joe Harris and 26-year-old combo guard Spencer Dinwiddie, and the Nets already have an excellent supporting cast in place.

According to Anthony Puccio of SNY, “top-tier free agents” such as Leonard, Kevin Durant and Tobias Harris “will at least considered Brooklyn this upcoming July when it’s time to find their next home — if they decide to leave.”

After agreeing to salary-dump Allen Crabbe ($18.5 million) to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets gave themselves enough cap space to keep Russell’s $21.1 million cap hold and give a max deal to Leonard or another star free agent. If they renounce Russell, they’d have enough for two max contracts.

The Nets faltered against the star-laden Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs, but Leonard sent the Sixers packing in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Although the Nets aren’t located in Los Angeles, perhaps Leonard will decide to stay in the Atlantic Division and torment the Sixers for years to come.

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