Lakers trade rumors: Why the Kawhi Leonard trade must happen
By Jason Reed
1. Kawhi Leonard is the best of the rumored superstars to build around
LeBron James and Paul George have been the two biggest stars tied to the Lakers this offseason. If the Lakers strike out this offseason, guys like Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler have been tossed around as options for next offseason. As great as those four guys are, Kawhi Leonard still presents the best opportunity to build around.
First and foremost, Kawhi Leonard is still just 26 years old. LeBron is 33 (although he is still producing at an elite level), George is 27, Jimmy Butler is 28 and Klay Thompson is 28.
While the age ranges are not big from Leonard, George, Butler and Thompson, Leonard is a much easier star to build around than that trio. Each of the three named work better as complementary stars; stars that fit better in a team with other great players.
Leonard, on the other hand, is a franchise-centered superstar that can win games with any group of guys. He is in the elite class with LeBron, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry. Leonard led the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals last season and was bullying the Warriors before getting hurt. He has a huge impact.
Leonard would instantly make this group of Lakers title contenders. While they still would need a little more help to ultimately defeat the Warriors or Rockets, they definitely would be in the conversation.
Only LeBron offers that same effect, but his prime window is much smaller than that of Kawhi Leonard.