Lakers Trade Rumors: Is a Brandon Ingram for Kawhi Leonard flip worth it?
By Jason Reed
Kawhi Leonard may be heading out of San Antonio, which may lead to interesting Lakers trade rumors. This raises the question: do you trade Brandon Ingram?
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA and is a proverbial MVP candidate whenever he can remain healthy. The Spurs’ homegrown small forward is amongst the NBA’s elite in defending and has been the perfect counterpunch to stars such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant in the past.
Leonard is one of the most important and valuable players in the NBA. After stepping on Zaza Pachulia’s foot— injuring his ankle in the process — in game one of the Western Conference Finals, the Spurs were outmatched significantly. Ultimately, the Warriors continued their postseason unbeaten run and swept the Spurs in four games.
Leonard proved how good he really is throughout the season last year. Leonard averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game last season. Overall, he is a two-time all-star, two-time All-NBA inclusion, four-time All-Defensive inclusion, an NBA Finals MVP and a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
He is good. Leonard is perhaps the best player in the NBA on both sides of the basketball. Alongside Durant, the NBA is Leonard’s for the taking once LeBron retires.
That is the recent rumors around Leonard are so concerning. Rumors emerged that Leonard is not happy in San Antonio and may be on his way out; rumors that were later denied by Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
Whether this will lead to some sort of trade is yet to be seen. However, the Lakers do have a significant trade piece for the Spurs: Brandon Ingram. Which creates the Lakers trade rumors — is is really worth it, though?