Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Reasons to trade for Kawhi Leonard

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

2. The Lakers need a superstar like Kawhi Leonard to become an elite team

Even if the Lakers acquire Paul George this summer, as many believe they will, they likely still won’t become a title contender.

George is a very good player who will instantly improve the purple and gold and possibly single-handedly make them a playoff team. However, George is not a true superstar who you can build a championship team around.

Leonard has proven that he is the type of player you can build a championship-caliber team around. His performance in the 2014 NBA Finals has also shown he can step it up under pressure when his best is needed.

Adding Leonard would give the Lakers a young upper echelon player to build and mold their young core around.