Lakers Rumors: Ranking the best targets during the 2019 offseason
By Jason Reed
1. Kawhi Leonard
Number one on this list is NOT LeBron James, surprise!
LeBron James is by far the biggest name set to be a free agent during the 2019 offseason. As great as all five of these players are, James is the best basketball player on the planet and is arguably the most influential player in NBA history. James is simply head and shoulders above all of his peers.
More from LA Sports Hub
- Lakers: 5 Players to Target Through Trades to make another championship run
- LA Chargers: Week 8 against Denver Broncos is a must-win
- LA Rams: Jared Goff wants to keep the Los Angeles title streak going
- Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Clippers interested in Rajon Rondo
- LA Chargers: Justin Herbert wins AFC Rookie of the Month
The reason why he is not included, though, is because I do not think he will be available. The Cleveland Cavaliers are a mess, they cannot play defense. With the Cavs not giving LeBron the help he wants, he may have had enough by season’s end and opts out of his deal.
Where he goes is unknown, it could be the Lakers, Rockets or even the Clippers. Regardless, by the time 2018 is over, I think James will be locked up long-term somewhere else.
That leaves Kawhi Leonard as the most intriguing option for the Lakers to pursue. Leonard is the most talented guy of this group and is destined to win at least one MVP award in the next five seasons.
Leonard brings the great mix of a knack for scoring alongside elite defense. As great as Jimmy Butler and Paul George are at defense, Leonard is even better. Leonard makes guys like Kevin Durant and LeBron James look human.
Kawhi could slide act as a Draymond Green-like player for the Lakers. Listed as a power forward, Leonard would defend the other team’s best scorer while dictating the floor. Someone who is comfortable with this, of course, is Klay Thompson.
Next: Why waiting for 2019 is the right call
Bringing in Leonard and Thompson is even more promising than George and Thompson. Leonard is hands down the name every Lakers rumors should be mentioning, Thompson is the perfect piece to complement him.