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Lakers Rumors: Landing Kawhi Leonard would ‘clinch’ LeBron James

By Kenneth Teape

CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs wait for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Spurs 117-103. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs wait for a rebound during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on January 30, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Spurs 117-103. 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. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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According to recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors, if the team can acquire Kawhi Leonard, it would essentially clinch LeBron James.

Los Angeles Lakers rumors have picked up with NBA Free Agency just days away. However, the date that the Lakers are keeping an eye on is June 29th at 11:59 PM. That is when players must decide whether or not they will exercise their options for the 2018-19 season. This is important for Los Angeles because it could drastically change their free agency plans.

It is no secret that the Lakers are looking to add established veterans to their young core. LeBron James and Paul George have been atop that wish list. However, Kawhi Leonard has also emerged as a target.

While Leonard is not a free agent, he is looking to change teams this offseason as well. Leonard no longer wants to be with the San Antonio Spurs and is hoping to land with the Lakers. The Spurs are not going to make that an easy change.

San Antonio does not want to trade Leonard in the Western Conference, where the Lakers reside. Also, the Spurs ‘shut the door’ on the Lakers when approached with a trade. Despite that, Los Angeles has reportedly re-engaged the Spurs in trade talks.

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While their first efforts were thwarted, it makes sense for the Lakers to try again. Leonard would be an excellent addition to their team. He is a legitimate two-way superstar when healthy and would help push the Lakers closer to contenders status. Also, he would not be coming alone.

According to Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report, the Lakers are pushing for a Leonard trade because it would essentially clinch LeBron James coming to Los Angeles as well.

The increased aggression to land Leonard comes on the heels of Paul George seeming to warm up to the idea of staying with the Oklahoma City Thunder. With James showing hesitancy to be the first player to join the Lakers, landing Leonard would render all of those as mute points.

Landing Leonard will not be easy, however. San Antonio is going to ask for quite a haul in return for their franchise player. The only way that the asking price will come down at all is if Leonard can convince other teams he won’t sign a long-term deal with them and will only do so with the Lakers.

That is similar to the approach that George took last season with the Indiana Pacers before being traded to Oklahoma City. Given the uncertainty surrounding him, the Lakers do not want to find themselves in that position again.

Los Angeles has a treasure chest of assets they could dangle to San Antonio. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and even 2018 No. 25 overall pick, Moritz Wagner, could all be in play.

Los Angeles should not part with more than two or three of those assets to get Leonard. If they want to truly become contenders, they will need more than just James and Leonard to compete with the likes of the Golden State Warriors.

Next: 10 Greatest Free Agent Signings In Lakers History

Landing Leonard and signing James would be quite a start to building a roster to compete with Golden State. Those are two players Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka would have no problem selling to other free agents as future teammates.

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