Lakers Trade Rumors: Why they shouldn’t trade for Kawhi Leonard

It is tempting, but the latest Lakers trade rumors explain why Kawhi Leonard is a bad pursuit as chaos unfolds out of San Antonio.

This is probably exactly what the San Antonio Spurs didn’t think would ever happen, but having to constantly rehab injuries this season and in doing so finding grounds for disagreement with the organization, it seems they are close to losing their star in Kawhi Leonard.

Coming from a written piece by Bleacher Report and via comments made on ESPN’s First Take from Jalen Rose, the future between San Antonio and Leonard doesn’t look awesome. Rose cited the fact that no other superstar really is going to Texas to team up with Leonard in addition to the latest comments circulating about how things have really been behind closed doors.

While the Lakers would have the pieces to make a move if push came to shove and it all got ugly — which would be surprising in the first place, because Leonard is the last guy that looks like he wants drama — they need to stay out of even conversations with the Spurs about this happening.

San Antonio would probably love to milk a Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and an extra piece in exchange for the superstar, but in doing so, Los Angeles will have single-handedly defeated the purpose of pursuing anyone over the summer.

Their pursuit needs to be clear on if they want someone like Paul George, LeBron James, or an emphasis on a young core involving Brandon Ingram in the starting lineup moving forward. A trade for Kawhi might make them a late playoff push type of team for the eighth seed, but it does no good for them in the long term.

Next: Making Sense Of A Trade For Damian Lillard

Also, Leonard’s quiet personality is the exact opposite of the kind of player that LA needs. It’s a trap any way that you cut it, and Los Angeles should know better than to try and even poke their head in that business.