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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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. LeBron James is a much more reliable route than Kawhi Leonard

On paper, this makes no sense. If you were given a blind resume that just included the ages and how long each guy had been in the league, knowing they are both elite players, you would likely go with Kawhi Leonard 99 out of 100 times.

LeBron James will turn 34 next season, Kawhi Leonard will be 27. James is coming off of his 15th NBA season with plenty of miles on his legs, Leonard is coming off of his seventh season relatively rested after last year.

Yet still, LeBron James continues to defy the odds and is prolonging the process of father time while nobody really knows what to think of Kawhi Leonard.

Father time is inevitable, it ultimately catches up to every athlete and we see our favorite superstars slowly fade into retirement as a new wave of talent outmatches them. James, though, has managed to only get better with age.

His age 33 season was easily his best since returning to Cleveland and is up there with his four MVP winning seasons. James took on a massive workload and still managed to be the most productive player in the NBA. There have not even been signs of him slowing down any time soon.

Leonard, on the other hand, is coming off of a controversial injury situation with the Spurs that has painted him as a bad teammate. Heck, Leonard no-showed the NBA Playoffs but was perfectly fine with attending a Dodger game.

While no one knows what goes on behind closed doors, there is nothing but red flags around Leonard and his situation with the Spurs. Remember how lightly everyone took Isaiah Thomas‘ hip with Boston? Let’s wait until Leonard comes back to seriously assess his current skill level.

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