Windhorst: Lakers Have Traction To Sign Kawhi Leonard

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Los Angeles Lakers have appeared to gain ground in their pursuit of Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard initially requested a trade to the Lakers last offseason, but it has appeared as though the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers became the favorites over the past 12 months.

"We don't know where Kawhi is going," said Brian Windhorst. "I am feeling more like the Lakers are a chance. I wouldn't have thought that was a chance."

Via Brian Windhorst/ESPN

[Ayuandmi]

Make up your mind already, Kawhi!!

[anatomicbomb]

I could see the 3 Nets' signings making it attractive to go to a team with three (bigger) names, and the Lakers are the only team that can make that happen.

[rafisher1]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

[NoZoLakers]

I could see the 3 Nets' signings making it attractive to go to a team with three (bigger) names, and the Lakers are the only team that can make that happen.

dj is considered a "big" name still?

[NoZoLakers]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

2021, LBJ opt-out yr...same yr as Giannis FA

[Metallikid]

"We don't know where Kawhi is going"

RealGM wiretaps and the sports media in general need to get their **** together and stop reporting something as news when it's complete speculation with no new information.

[tor1234567]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

It's not as much of a no-brainer move as you think.

The Raptors are a better-run organization with an emerging young All-star in Pascal Siakam to pair with Kawhi.
They have the best scouts and team president in the league, and they have capspace next summer.
Their main competitors in the East have all made questionable moves this offseason, and have lost key talent.

The Lakers have a 35 year-old LeBron and a very injury-prone AD.
There will be no load management for Kawhi in LA, no matter what they promise him (especially with their lack of depth and likely injuries to their big three).
They are also a very dysfunctional organization, which I'm sure Magic has let him know about already.

Kawhi is currently drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan while in Toronto (when a year ago, people would struggle to put Kawhi in their top-10 in the league).

If Kawhi goes to LeBron's Lakers, it will never be regarded as his team (since LeBron was there first) and Kawhi will become LeBron's Scottie Pippen instead (or worse, his Chris Bosh). The LA media will never let him forget this (especially Skip).

If he cares about winning AND being the man, he stays in Toronto (especially with that clear path to the Finals).

If he cares about winning AND being closer to home, but largely regarded as the third banana of his team...then he goes to the Lakers.

[tor1234567]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

2021, LBJ opt-out yr...same yr as Giannis FA

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

[NoZoLakers]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

2021, LBJ opt-out yr...same yr as Giannis FA

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

its great that you guys lucked out and got Kawahi and a chip but in 2 yrs Lowry will be toast, Marc is already toast, Ibaka will also be toast if he's still even on the team...so pair up with Siakam or AD/Leonard still in their late 20's?

[Metallikid]

Kawhi's options:

1. Return to Toronto to try for repeat, but then what the following 4 years?

2. Clippers as the single superstar since all the other superstars are already committed?

3. Lakers to join LBJ and AD, and then after LBJ retires reducing payroll by 41 mil, with AD +? , which gives him the longest contention run?

Hmmmm -

For the following four years we have the best GM in the league, that's what.

[xJumpManx]

2021, LBJ opt-out yr...same yr as Giannis FA

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

its great that you guys lucked out and got Kawahi and a chip but in 2 yrs Lowry will be toast, Marc is already toast, Ibaka will also be toast if he's still even on the team...so pair up with Siakam or AD/Leonard still in their late 20's?

Lebron will be playing with another team by the time his 4 years are up with Lakers. Its a forgone conclusion he will retire a Cavalier but not sure if he will play for them and if he does it will be past his prime years.

[NoZoLakers]

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

its great that you guys lucked out and got Kawahi and a chip but in 2 yrs Lowry will be toast, Marc is already toast, Ibaka will also be toast if he's still even on the team...so pair up with Siakam or AD/Leonard still in their late 20's?

Lebron will be playing with another team by the time his 4 years are up with Lakers. Its a forgone conclusion he will retire a Cavalier but not sure if he will play for them and if he does it will be past his prime years.

and? I'm not factoring him in my scenario, just saying when/if he opts out that $ can be used for some one like a Giannis and James can always come back on the cheap and finish his career out on a high note

[tor1234567]

2021, LBJ opt-out yr...same yr as Giannis FA

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

its great that you guys lucked out and got Kawahi and a chip but in 2 yrs Lowry will be toast, Marc is already toast, Ibaka will also be toast if he's still even on the team...so pair up with Siakam or AD/Leonard still in their late 20's?

I'm not saying that it's not a great situation to be in...I'm just saying that it's not some "no-brainer" move.

Siakam is an excellent player, who is rising fast. Dude only started playing ball 7 years ago, does everything well, and never seems to get injured. AD is injury prone and is not a proven winner just yet. He also may not fit as well as Siakam has (who's game fits with Kawhi's like a glove).

I think it's a fantastic situation for Kawhi to be paired with AD moving forward, but sometimes these things don't work out. We have to wait and see what happens.

Kawhi cares about being the 'man' and has been called the next Jordan. He won't be any of that on the Lakers anymore, by pulling this Durant/Bosh move. He also won't have the depth and trainers that the Raptors have for effective load management (and a tougher Western Conference to deal with too). The LA media will not forgive him for taking games off, while being seemingly healthy.

There are many factors to consider...but "load management" and "perception of being the main guy" in LA, are two things that are important to Kawhi that likely won't happen for him on the Lakers.

Also, if Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka are toast...you've got $80 million coming off the books for those three (plus Siakam has a small rookie cap hold).

It's not the worst thing in the world to be 'stuck' being the new Michael Jordan in Toronto...in an easier conference...making more money...taking 20 games off per year and still be a top seed...with a ton of capspace coming up and arguably the best executive in the league (Masai) in charge.

[NoZoLakers]

No chance.

Giannis will stay in Milwaukee. But if he does ever opt-out, he is going to the Raptors due to the long family connection with Raptors' team president Masai Ujiri.

Masai has already been tampering and talking about their relationship in his closing presser. He is the reason why Giannis is in the NBA today. If Giannis were to ever do the unthinkable and leave Milwaukee, he is going where Masai is.

its great that you guys lucked out and got Kawahi and a chip but in 2 yrs Lowry will be toast, Marc is already toast, Ibaka will also be toast if he's still even on the team...so pair up with Siakam or AD/Leonard still in their late 20's?

I'm not saying that it's not a great situation to be in...I'm just saying that it's not some "no-brainer" move.

Siakam is an excellent player, who is rising fast. Dude only started playing ball 7 years ago, does everything well, and never seems to get injured. AD is injury prone and is not a proven winner just yet. He also may not fit as well as Siakam has (who's game fits with Kawhi's like a glove).

I think it's a fantastic situation for Kawhi to be paired with AD moving forward, but sometimes these things don't work out. We have to wait and see what happens.

Kawhi cares about being the 'man' and has been called the next Jordan. He won't be any of that on the Lakers anymore, by pulling this Durant/Bosh move. He also won't have the depth and trainers that the Raptors have for effective load management (and a tougher Western Conference to deal with too). The LA media will not forgive him for taking games off, while being seemingly healthy.

There are many factors to consider...but "load management" and "perception of being the main guy" in LA, are two things that are important to Kawhi that likely won't happen for him on the Lakers.

Also, if Lowry, Gasol and Ibaka are toast...you've got $80 million coming off the books for those three (plus Siakam has a small rookie cap hold).

It's not the worst thing in the world to be 'stuck' being the new Michael Jordan in Toronto...in an easier conference...making more money...taking 20 games off per year and still be a top seed...with a ton of capspace coming up and arguably the best executive in the league (Masai) in charge.

kawahi already got a chip as the man n he doesnt strike me as someone like kd who needs to be validated n gets salty cause people call him cupcake

[Ayuandmi]

Breaking News: Kawhi Leonard to Lakers is officially done. Both sides working on minor details at the moment before announcing deal.

Wow, this is nuts.

[Johnny Bball]

Who is the bull **** artist that writes the RGM headlines?

[tor1234567]

Breaking News: Kawhi Leonard to Lakers is officially done. Both sides working on minor details at the moment before announcing deal.

Wow, this is nuts.

So, Kawhi's meeting with the Lakers has ended aaaand NO signature.

Not a good sign.

Meeting with the Clippers is tomorrow morning.

Good Luck.

[jojo152433]

This is a whole lotta nothing from a news perspective. He's only meeting with 3 teams. Of course the Lakers have a real shot at signing him.

[anatomicbomb]

I could see the 3 Nets' signings making it attractive to go to a team with three (bigger) names, and the Lakers are the only team that can make that happen.

dj is considered a "big" name still?

No, but he was one of 3 players signed by the Nets and, with Kawhi, the Lakers would have 3 players who are arguably "bigger" than the ones on the Nets. For what it's worth, I think that DJ will do quite well on this team, especially when KD comes back, because there's enough attention and playmaking on the floor to let him do what he does best (at whatever level of which he's capable these days).