Lakers trade rumors: Kawhi, LeBron & Paul George — how it can be done

Step two: The ensuing moves

The next moves you can obviously see coming: the Lakers need to sign both LeBron James and Paul George. Both players have player options this season, so there is no guarantee that either will even be free agents. If that is the case, the Lakers will be title contenders with Kawhi Leonard and can pursue other stars in 2019.

However, for the nature of this article, we are going to assume that both LeBron James and Paul George opt out of their contracts. There is a much greater chance of this happening if both the Thunder and Cavaliers get eliminated from the playoffs early.

For LeBron, a three-year deal worth $100 million makes sense. While that would be sacrificing some salary, the marketing opportunities in Los Angeles are incredible and he will more than make up for that in endorsements. Knowing LeBron, the deal would likely have an opt out after year two.

For George, he is probably not worth the same $30+ million as LeBron is. Instead of a three-year, $100 million deal, the Lakers can net George to a four-year, $110 million deal with a team option after year three that has a nice rise in salary.

However, the Lakers should not stop there. Los Angeles should utilize the bird rights on Julius Randle to re-sign him to a four-year deal in the $60 million range.

By trading for Leonard, Los Angeles would also be able to go over the salary cap with bird rights to extend him past next offseason.