Los Angeles Lakers could assemble greatest big three of all-time

The Los Angeles Lakers have an opportunity to create arguably the greatest Big 3 in NBA history in free agency this summer.

NBA free agency begins Sunday afternoon, and the Los Angeles Lakers have enough money now to sign a superstar.

The Lakers traded Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga, and Jemario Jones to the Wizards, per Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe.

On top of the Lakers clearing up that cap space, Anthony Davis waived his $4M trade kicker, and all of a sudden, the Lakers have $32M in cap space to sign a max player, per Adrian Wojnarowski.

There is speculation that Anthony Davis may know something, and that’s why he waived his $4M trade kicker. This may mean the Lakers will sign a superstar to join LeBron and Davis in Los Angeles.

Now, we have learned that Kawhi Leonard will give the Lakers a meeting, because they have enough money to sign a max player, per Brad Turner.

Kawhi Leonard’s camp will meet with Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson, however, Magic Johnson cannot “formally” be part of Laker meetings, because he is no longer employed by the Lakers, per Ramona Shelburne.

Anthony Davis and LeBron James will also look to have a meeting with Kawhi Leonard, per Sam Amick.

If Kawhi Leonard joins forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, that could be the greatest big three assembled of all-time, on paper, and the basketball court. When you put three of the top five players in the league on one team, that team will be very tough to defeat four times in a playoff series.

Some people forget how good Anthony Davis is and say he’s not a top five player in the league. He is one of the best two-way players in the NBA right now, and last season, Davis averaged 25.9 points, on 51.7% shooting, 12 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, in 56 games played.

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From 2016-2018, Davis averaged 28 points, on 51.9% shooting, 11.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game, in 75 games played each season.

LeBron James would dictate the offense, making sure Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis get their fair touches, offensively. Defensively, Kawhi Leonard will guard the oppositions best player, and Anthony Davis is still an elite rim protector, while LeBron James still plays good defense in crunch time, they will be a tough team to beat on both ends of the basketball court.

If the Lakers sign Kawhi Leonard to a max contract, they will still have the room exception of $4.8M left to fill out the rest of their roster. It is unclear now who will agree to take a pay cut, or a vet minimum contract to sign with the Lakers. It will likely depend on how the market plays out.

Last season, we saw DeMarcus Cousins take a pay cut to sign a $5M deal with the Warriors. We could see other players in those type of situations. Possibly Brook Lopez, Danny Green, or Jeremy Lamb will take a pay cut to play with the Lakers. The Lakers may also bring some players back from last season such as JaVale McGee, Reggie Bullock, and/or Rajon Rondo.

The Lakers will need 3-point shooters and 3-and-D type players. Trevor Ariza would be an ideal signing for the Lakers, depending on how much Ariza will agree to sign for. If the Lakers sign Kawhi, Danny Green, a good friend, and longtime teammate of Kawhi, may take a pay cut to join the Lakers. After all, they have won two championships with each other.

A lot of these veteran minimum signings will depend on how the market plays out, as mentioned earlier. As long as the Lakers sign 3-point shooters, and 3-and-D type players, along with Kawhi Leonard, they will continue to be favorites to win the 2020 NBA Championship.

Again, if the Lakers sign Kawhi Leonard to pair him up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, that will be the greatest big 3 of All-Time ever assembled.