Even after trading away Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. at the trade deadline, recent rumors suggest the Los Angeles Lakers could be clearing more space if it is for San Antonio Spurs forward and former NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
Magic Johnson, the team president, has already voiced confidence that Lakers could acquire two "elite free agents" in this July's free agency. Talking to ESPN, he said they would not have traded two of its promising young stars for Isaiah Thomas and Channing Fyre if they were not sure that they could eventually get what they want.
Johnson could not state any name, per NBA's tampering rules, but the publication says the free agents his team is luring could be none other than LeBron James and Paul George. The two, who took the Staples Center floor as teammates in the NBA All-Star game on Sunday night, will be free agents this summer. There are other reports, however, saying that they may be eyeing Leonard, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler instead as they could be recalibrating their focus to next year's free agency.
Leonard is currently in a rumored beef with the Spurs, opting not to return to the team's active roster despite his clearance to play. Now, the Spurs are reportedly preparing for the possibility of entering the playoffs without him, fuelling earlier speculations that Leonard already "wants out" of the team. If anything, he could be heading to Lakers next.
NJ Advance Media's Zack Rosenblatt believes the LA team have enough assets to present San Antonio for any potential deal. The former could offer Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and their 2019 first-round draft pick for Leonard.
This would leave Julius Randle the only player in the young core, although they will have a big three of their own: James, George, and Leonard.
