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Stop us if you've ever heard this one-The Los Angeles Lakers are going wild in the next NBA offseason.
When you think about it, do not stop-You did not hear that. Not with the luck that this really materializes, at least.
To be clear, we are not saying that the Lakers will face the title fight this summer. We do not even say that the team will radically reshape its list.
We simply say that there is a chance. And when that luck relates to superstar talents like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard possible, well, little else needs to be said to increase the buildup for the latest Lakers rumor series.
Second star needed to attract LeBron
Darren Abate / Associated Press
As if dreaming of adding King James was not big enough in itself, the Lakers can afford to aim higher with commercial chips to fuel a blockbuster and a path to a pair of slot machines. maximum contract.
It seems that L.A. might need to put all his resources at stake for a shot at the elected.
While USA today"Sam Amick relayed that the Lakers" are widely regarded as the biggest threat to lure James away from his original state, "he also included a pretty significant caution.
"The idea that he is going to Los Angeles without another co-star in two, leaving the East after eight final appearances to play in a conference of the West where Golden State and Houston have proven their prowess, is widely considered a folly. wrote.
In other words, the most grandiose recruitment field in the world will not cut it. That's just as good, since Ramona Shelburne of ESPN hears James "does not intend to hear pitch meetings developed by teams."
James is quite familiar with the configuration of the earth not to base his decision on clever marketing ploys. This could be the last major move of the 33-year-old's career, and there's no consensus on where he stands in the race with this Chicago ghost.
James also knows that his mere presence is probably not enough to turn the Lakers into world drummers. While their young core had exciting moments last season, they still finished only 35-47-the fifth consecutive year in which they lost a record and missed the playoffs.
While some might debate where the Lakers would rank in the same West with James and a second star (Paul George, Kawhi Leonard), the two-headed addition would clearly bring them closer to the top.
The Kawhi Plan of the Spurs does not include the Lakers (yet)
Darren Abate / Associated Press
Kawhi Leonard wants to get away from the San Antonio Spurs and return to his native Los Angeles – preferably with Lakers League sources recently entrusted Chris Haynes to ESPN.
Until now, San Antonio does not seem interested in granting Leonard's wish.
"Fellow West teams have been told, in essence, to get lost," Amick reported. "… As it stands, the Spurs are determined to settle the situation or exchange Leonard for a team from the Eastern Conference."
As Shelburne reported, the Lakers were quickly repulsed in a recent attempt to engage the Spurs:
It makes sense on an emotional level. Delivering Leonard to a conference rival keeps him a little too close to home, especially since he plays a role in restoring the Lakers to fame.
That said, it sounds absurd from a basketball point of view. If the Spurs are forced to move Leonard-Haynes says that there is a feeling of betrayal on the part of Leonard who "at this point seems irreparable"they must land the best possible package regardless of their trading partner.
Maybe someone outweighs what the Lakers can offer. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers can theoretically form stronger packages, but would they separate from the best assets when Leonard could enter the agency next summer? Can they even afford to give their apparent interest in returning to Cali?
It's not as if the Lakers could only put a change of hen on the table. Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart are all interesting pieces and 23 years old or younger. In addition, L.A. has all of its future first-round picks, so commercial sweeteners are easily accessible.
It will be a fascinating summer for many reasons, but Leonard's situation is near the top of this list. If the Spurs open the bidding process for Leonard-a 26-year-old player with two defensive player titles of the year, a player par excellence in the final and an average points scored in a season of 25.5 points per gameThe war that followed could be incredible.
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