Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Benefits of pursuing Kawhi Leonard

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on January 5, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SAN ANTONIO,TX – MARCH 29: Kawhi Leonard /

– Young and just entering prime

A great benefit for the pursuit of Leonard would be because of his age. Unlikely when some superstars hit free agency at over 30-years-old, Leonard is just 26-years-old and entering his prime.

As a player that has already won an NBA Title and an NBA Finals MVP award in his career, Leonard’s prime years can be great. For many superstars in the NBA, it takes until their late 20s or early 30s to accomplish some of the things that Leonard has. However, he has become one of the top players in the league, and he has a lot of great years left in the tank.

While the Lakers would have to trade some of their young players for Leonard, they wouldn’t be getting an aging star, they would be getting one at the beginning of his prime. There can certainly be an argument for not trading some of the young players on the Lakers because of what they might develop into. However, Leonard is already one of the best players in the league, which the young talent on the Lakers might never amount to.

Acquiring Leonard would instantly make the Lakers a better team, as pursuing him could be a franchise-changing move.

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