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Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James is a smarter target than Kawhi Leonard

By Jason Reed

BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 15: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the second half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. The Los Angeles Lakers are ready to win now

The Los Angeles Lakers made huge improvements during the 2017-2018 season. When the team was firing on all cylinders, they were one of the most fun to watch in the entire NBA. If the Lakers would have stayed completely healthy, it is reasonable to say that they easily could’ve snuck into the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

While they would have ultimately been outmatched by the Houston Rockets, the Lakers are much closer to winning now than they have been in the last five or six years. So close, in fact, that the Lakers need to go all-in on this offseason and not put it off until 2019.

The problem with acquiring Kawhi Leonard in 2018 is that the Lakers would have to part ways with an elite young talent like Lonzo Ball or Brandon Ingram. If Leonard commits to a max deal that would not be too bad, but it could be avoided if the Lakers are patient and wait for Leonard to become a free agent.

And that is the problem; the Lakers have been patient the last three seasons and it is finally time to pull the trigger and make the final moves. The front office already initiated this process by trading D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov for Brook Lopez‘ expiring contract last summer.

It would seem like a complete waste for the Lakers to undervalue Russell in that manner if the cap space ended up not being used at all.

The roster is ready, the front office is ready and there is no better guy to throw into the mix than LeBron James.

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