Los Angeles Lakers: Things that must happen for a Kawhi Leonard trade
By Jason Reed
1. Kawhi Leonard must promise to sign a max extension in LA
First and foremost, the Los Angeles Lakers are going to need the promise that Kawhi Leonard is going to sign a max extension with the team after being traded. Right now, Leonard has just one year left under contract and could walk away from the team in pursuit of greener pastures.
The Lakers need to avoid the possibility of that happening at all by netting him to an extension.
The supermax extension would net Leonard 30 percent of the salary cap each season. Since the Lakers would be trading for Leonard, Los Angeles would then own Bird Rights on Leonard and could afford to go over the salary cap in order to maintain Leonard and bring in other pieces.
Heck, if Leonard does not want to commit to a full four years that is fine. The Lakers and Leonard could agree to a two-year extension, for max deal type annual salary. While this is very unlikely, as it gives Leonard less security, all the Lakers need is a few promised years of Leonard to create something special.
Chances are if Leonard really wants to come to the Lakers then he will be more than willing to sign an extension. However, for the Lakers’ sake, that must be a guarantee.