Los Angeles Lakers: Why Anthony Davis is favorite to join LA
By Jason Reed
1. Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard may have different plans next summer
Many were banking on the Los Angeles Lakers pursuing Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson or Jimmy Butler next offseason. Butler now seems off the table completely (we’ll get to that later) leaving just Thompson and Leonard as the likely free agent targets next summer.
Thompson has been viewed as the better logistical fit, a sentiment that we agree with here at LA Sports Hub. Leonard is still obviously a great fit as having two top-five players in the league is never a bad outlook for a team.
The problem is that both of those players may have other plans next summer and could leave the Lakers with nothing to show for their offseason cap space.
Just because Thompson has had success in Golden State does not mean that he will try to chase greener pastures elsewhere. Thompson is so comfortable in Golden State and instead of leaving it could be better for his career to stay with his splash brother.
If Kevin Durant leaves, it only increases the chance of Thompson staying.
Leonard now has a new team that can offer him a super max extension and if his year in Toronto works out he may opt to stay with the Raptors. If not Toronto, the Lakers have huge competition in LA in the Clippers, who have space for two stars and could already have one by next summer.
Many assumed that Paul George would come to his hometown team and that obviously did not happen. The Los Angeles Lakers cannot assume either of these stars will come to the team, either.