Los Angeles Lakers: Why Kawhi Leonard will never be a Laker

By Jason Reed | Sep 5, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MAY 03: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs drives against Trevor Ariza #1 of the Houston Rockets during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Semi-Finals at AT&T Center on May 3, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Brandon Ingram

Short, simple and sweet; one of the main reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers will not sign Kawhi Leonard is because of Brandon Ingram. Let me explain.

First and foremost, Ingram and Leonard play the same position. The Lakers are already double dipping at small forward by running both Ingram and LeBron in the starting lineup this year. Plus, we cannot forget about Kyle Kuzma, who is going to see time at both power forward and small forward off the bench this season.

Now, could either Kawhi Leonard or Brandon Ingram move to shooting guard? Yes. Is this partnership, thus, theoretical? Yes. However, this would be the Lakers forcing a fit, forcing either Leonard to move to the two, where he may not naturally fit, or moving Ingram to the two which could stunt his growth.

Leonard’s defense is an added plus but the role he would play would hurt Ingram’s progression and would prevent him from becoming the star he can. There are other superstars the Lakers can bring in to help the roster as without potentially hurting Ingram and/or Kuzma (we will get to that).

Admittedly, this is the weakest of the three reasons and hence why it is first. However, Ingram’s role on this team does have a bigger impact on the Lakers signing yet another star forward.

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