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Los Angeles Lakers: What if Kawhi Leonard signed with them last summer?

By Zane Harris

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 14, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during the second half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 14, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Lakers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2020-2021 Season

We will begin the second season with the draft lottery. The Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Miami Heat received the first three picks respectively. Going into free agency both Kawhi and Davis are unrestricted free agents. With the Lakers being 46 million over the cap it will make it very difficult to re-sign them both.

However, thanks to the hard cap, the team was able to bring back Davis on a 3-year 99.48 million dollar deal and Kawhi Leonard coming back on a 3-year 108.16 million dollar deal. Looking forward to the next season, it will be very difficult to try to fit both Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James’ contracts into the books the following offseason.

Some notable signings around the league are Andre Drummond signing with the Raptors, Demar DeRozan going to the Grizzlies, Draymond Green signing with the Spurs, Mike Conley going to the Cavaliers, and Jamal Murray signing with the Hawks.

The Lakers brought back Alex Caruso and Alex Abrines. The rest of the roster was filled out by Davon Reed, James Nunnally, Shabazz Napier, and Damyean Dotson. In a need to clear cap space for the upcoming offseason, the Lakers traded Rajon Rondo who was on a 2-year 19.51 million dollar deal to the Detroit Pistons for a first-round pick.

The Lakers once again go into the season as the consensus number one ranked team. They have a staring five of Shabazz Napier, Damyean Dotson, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. The first five off of the bench are Kyle Kuzma, Nicolo Melli, E’Twaun Moore, Moritz Wagner, and Alex Caruso.

Also, before the All-Star break, the Lakers re-signed LeBron to a 2-year 74.96 million dollar deal. This season, the Lakers took a dip and had a final record of 50-32. Nikola Jokic won MVP, Killian Hayes won Rookie of the Year for the Heat, Gordon Hayward won 6th Man of the Year, Anthony Davis once again won Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Holiday won Most Improved Player, and Brett Brown won Coach of the Year.

Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis were both named to the All-NBA second team and the All-Defensive first team. LeBron James was named to the All-NBA second team. The Lakers go into the playoffs as a four seed and are matched up against the Oklahoma City Thunder who are lead by Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Steven Adams, and Rudy Gay.

They beat the Thunder in a tight 7-game series that is becoming a very common theme for this Lakers team in the playoffs. The Minnesota Timberwolves knock off the first seeded Denver Nuggets and match up against the Lakers.

The Timberwolves are led by Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The Lakers get through Minnesota with no problems in five games. They will play the Suns again in the Western Conference finals. The Suns still have a big three of Ja Morant, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton. The Lakers knock off the Suns 141-126 in Game 7 and will play Trae Young, John Collins, Jimmy Butler, and Zion Williamson in the Finals.

The Lakers beat the young team in a 5-game series and once again LeBron won finals MVP with 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 12.4 assists.  In the playoffs, Kawhi averaged 24.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.0 steals. Anthony Davis averaged 24.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 2.3 blocks. LeBron averaged 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 8.4 assists.

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