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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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2021-2022 Season

The lottery brought was very lucky for the Lakers. The pick that they received in the trade of Rajon Rondo resulted in being the 8th overall pick. With that pick, the Lakers drafted B.J. Boston from Kentucky.

Kyle Kuzma accepted the Lakers qualifying offer for 5.31 million dollars which allows the Lakers to keep their core together for another year. Some big signings around the league sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Bulls, Paul George to the Magic, Rudy Gobert to the Thunder, Victor Oladipo to the Heat, Lauri Markkanen and Jarrett Allen to the Bucks, and Steven Adams to the Spurs.

The Lakers resigned as previously mentioned Kyle Kuzma, Alex Caruso, James Nunnally, Davon Reed, Nicolo Melli, and Isaac Bongo. They filled out the rest of their roster with, Jevon Carter, and Quincy Wilcox. Once again, the Lakers are the contentious preseason number one team.

Their starting five for the year is Alex Caruso, Damien Dotson, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. The first five off of the bench are Kyle Kuzma, Nicolo Melli, B.J. Boston, E’Twaun Moore, and Moritz Wagner.

At the All-Star break, all members of the Big 3 were named to the All-Star team. LeBron and Anthony Davis were named starters while Kawhi was a reserve. At the end of season three, the Lakers have an improved record of 55-27. Anthony Davis was named MVP, Ashton Hagans won Rookie of the Year, Collin Sexton won 6th Man of the Year, Anthony Davis also won defensive player of the year, Alex Caruso won Most Improved Player, and Brett Brown was Coach of the Year.

Anthony Davis made both the All-NBA first team and the All-Defensive first team. Kawhi Leonard was also a part of the All-Defensive first team. LeBron James made the All-NBA second team. The Lakers were once again the first seed in the West and will face off against the Golden State Warriors in the first round led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Gordon Hayward.

The Lakers knock off the Warriors in 6 games and will face the 5th seeded Denver Nuggets in the second round. The Nuggets have Nikola Jokic and Michael Porter Jr. After being down 3-1 in the series LeBron once again carries a team back from such a deficit and wins the series in 7 games.

In the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers face off against the Houston Rockets who have Chris Paul, James Harden, Clint Capela, and Cade Cunningham. Once again the Lakers are taken to a Game 7.

They beat the Rockets and move onto the NBA Finals for a possible three-peat. In the Finals, the Lakers face off against the 76ers for the second time. They still are led by Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid. Once again for the final time of the scenario, the Lakers are forced to a Game 7, and once again the clutchness of LeBron, Kawhi, and AD prove to be too much for anyone to handle and they pull off the three-peat.

LeBron won his 6th championship and his 6th finals MVP. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 11.5 assists. In the playoffs, AD averaged 25.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 2.6 blocks. The Klaw averaged 21.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 steals.

Next. 3 Reasons Kuzma can salvage the season. dark

Finally, LeBron averaged 22.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 8.7 assists. While everything that happened in this simulation certainly would not have occurred from just one free agency decision form Kawhi Leonard, I do believe that it is a real possibility that the Lakers could have completed a three-peat with a big three of LeBron, AD, and Kawhi. However, with Kawhi making the decision he did it will make for a possible explosive playoff series between the newly rekindled LA rivalry.

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