Los Angeles Lakers make wise choice in not trading for Kawhi Leonard

While there is no denying Kawhi Leonard’s talent, the Los Angeles Lakers did the right thing in not trading for him.

Granted the Los Angeles Lakers were not involved, the team may have gotten the best end of the bargain regarding the recent Kawhi Leonard trade.

While uniting Leonard with LeBron James would have instantly created a deadly duo, the Lakers were smart to not pull the trigger.

It is important to remember that Leonard will be a free agent at the end of next season. Thus, if the man truly wants to be a Laker per what sources have said, waiting 12 months is fine.

Simply put, the San Antonio Spurs were wanting way too much in return for Kawhi. Certainly, it was within their right and it makes sense due to the type of talent Leonard is. He was the NBA Finals MVP in 2014, so the Spurs did not want to feel like they would be getting cheated.

However, letting go of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, and draft picks would have been foolish. It does not matter how good The Claw is when he is healthy.

The purple and gold have gone to great lengths to put together the young core they possess. Getting rid of most of that would make all that effort go down the drain. It would be such a tough pill to swallow.

Moreover, if the Lakers listened to the Spurs’ high expectations, they would have done them a huge favor. L.A. would have basically helped the latter rebuild. Helping a longtime rival in that respect just does not sound too wonderful to be honest.

Since the turn of the century San Antonio has been the league’s most consistent team. They have literally made the playoffs every year. On that note, it is hard to not ask: “why should we help them in particular?”

One of the only downsides to not getting Leonard now would have been if a team like the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers traded for him. As Matt Ellentuck of SB Nation contends, those squads would have “much easier sells for Leonard to stay long-term.”

Nevertheless, the Lakers dodged a bullet and should feel rather encouraged. Let alone keeping their young pieces intact, it is crucial to keep the Raptors in mind when the trade is thought about.

Toronto is going to have to someway, somehow make a believer out of Leonard. It is going to have to occur quickly since the small forward appears to not be a fan of the trade.

Therefore, the Lakers look as if they are in the driver’s seat. Although Leonard is probably glad he is no longer with the Spurs, this was not what he wanted specifically.

The defensive stalwart has made it known that he prefers to play for the Lakers. Toronto is nowhere near L.A., and, in fact, is not even in the country.

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With that being said, the pressure right now is on the Raptors. The Lakers, on the other hand, can just sit back and enjoy a piña colada or two.

Part of why the Lakers can feel okay about themselves is due to the LeBron signing. The team has the best all-around player in the world. As a result, Magic Johnson has less to worry about according to Joe Morgan of Sporting News.

One argument against this is the oftentimes used “win now” theory. Given that James is 33-years-old, some thereby think trading for Leonard now would have better maximized James’ years in Los Angeles.

While that is fair to say, doing so would have gutted the Lakers’ depth. Certainly, it would have given L.A. a great one-two punch. Beyond those assets, however, the team would not have as much firepower to rely on.

Additionally, another factor that was briefly referenced before cannot be left out of the equation. That component is Leonard’s physical condition.

Throughout the 2017-2018 season, The Claw’s medical status was constantly up in the air. That is putting it rather gently.

The former Spur missed most of the season because of a pesky quad issue. In tune with this, the Spurs and Leonard’s representatives never saw eye-to-eye in terms of where Leonard stood.

On account of this, Andrew Sharp of Sports Illustrated thinks L.A. is being wise in being patient for one more year.

"“They will keep Brandon Ingram, a potential All-Star who’s still 21 years old, and they still have a chance to sign Kawhi next summer. Also: rather than gutting their team for a player who just missed almost the entire season, Magic, Pelinka and LeBron will have a year to watch him in Toronto to gauge exactly how healthy Leonard really is, and whether he makes sense as the long-term sidekick in L.A.”"

Sharp makes a valid point when he says it gives L.A. the chance to see if Leonard can still ball. If he can, then expect the Lakers to make a big push for Kawhi next summer. Conversely, if Leonard’s health affects him too much, Magic and crew may look at other options in 2019.

What is good in the meantime about not trading for Leonard is that it allows the young core to mature together. Assuming B.I., Kuz, Hart, and so on get better next season, it makes the Lakers’ choice that much better.

It is worth noting that Leonard may not come to the Lakers next year—there is no guarantee. A situation akin to what happened with Paul George is not improbable.

Despite that possibility, the Los Angeles Lakers are still in an excellent position. In a year they may have two superstars and multiple young pieces still.

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As a result, the Lakers could be contending for a title relatively soon. While it may not occur in 2018-2019, the years after that may not be far-fetched.