Los Angeles Lakers: Three trade targets not named Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Lakers have been rumored to be interested in Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard. If that pursuit fails, who else could LA consider?

There have been big plans for the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason; at least, that is what everyone thinks as we head into the summer. Dating all the way back to last year, this summer has been circled by many hopeful fans as the summer in which the Lakers bring in a superstar.

The Lakers have not done much to slow this speculation down, either. The front office first packaged D’Angelo Russell with Timofey Mozgov’s contract in favor for the expiring deal of Brook Lopez prior to the year. At the deadline, the team traded both Jordan Clarkson (who was owed $37.5 million over the next three years) and Larry Nance Jr. for Isaiah Thomas.

Now, the Lakers have $61 million in practical cap space to sign one, or two, superstars.

However, the speculation has not stopped at free agency. The Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly interested in trading for Spurs superstar Kawhi Leonard. Leonard and the Spurs have a rocky relationship and with Leonard being an LA native, the deal makes sense.

Reports also indicate, though, that Gregg Popovich may be unwilling to move his star to the Western Conference rivals.

While that very well could mean the Lakers stick to free agency, there are other trades available. All three of these deals would allow the Lakers to also bring in two other stars (we’ll explain) so it may be the best route.

Without further ado, let’s get into three other trade targets not named Kawhi Leonard that the Los Angeles Lakers could pursue.