Los Angeles Lakers: Setting Sights On Kawhi Leonard?
By Chris Walton
How can the Los Angeles Lakers pull themselves from the clutches of mediocrity? With a coach like Byron Scott at the reins, the franchise should be in the process of forming an identity mirroring the “Laker Way.” At a total of 16 NBA titles and a host of all-time greats, this team is nowhere near the worst of that bunch. Winless, injured, and without a direction best describes this squad. The franchise mastermind, Mitch Kupchak, is slowly developing a plan to raise the team back to prominence. The blueprint lies in a plethora of cap space and starting a foundation through the draft.
It’s likely that the Lakers could end up with three picks in the 2015 NBA Draft pick. With this season inevitably heading towards the draft lottery, the Lakers can retain a possible top-five selection (could possibly go to the Phoenix Suns), a Houston Rockets’ first rounder, and their own second rounder. To add to their draft flexibility, the Lakers could make a groundbreaking move. Like the NBA championship of last season, the Lakers could take the road leading through San Antonio and flirt with an integral piece of the Spurs’ puzzle.
Last week, the San Antonio Spurs and Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard, were unable to agree on a contract extension. Like most young players, Leonard is testing the market for a lucrative deal. Next year Leonard becomes a restricted free agent, but the notion of not offering him a deal would prove foolish on the Lakers’ part. Leonard is not only looking to continue his budding development, but getting in on some serious NBA cash is on his agenda. At this point, the Lakers must ask Leonard to name his price, as he is worth max-money.
Relentless effort, an improving jumpshot, and a naturally selfless demeanor make Leonard a desired piece to any team. It goes without saying how well he could help and propel the Lakers onto the right track. With Kobe Bryant looking like the Last Samurai fending off the opposition, Leonard immediately could alleviate the pressures he faces. With Wes Johnson as the team’s starting small forward, an upgrade to Leonard would be night and day. With all due respect to Johnson, Leonard is everything that scouts envisioned him to become: an athlete that you could put all over the basketball court.
Defense. It wins championships, sells shoes, and all of that good stuff. The Lakers currently don’t own one of those, or none of that. According to teamrankings.com, the Lakers are dead last (30th) in defensive efficiency. Next season doesn’t seem to look like it would move the ranking unless they could add a great team defender and individual player like Leonard. His physical tools don’t even have to be elaborated on, just check his work in last year’s NBA Finals.
What’s a reasonable price for a guy like Kawhi Leonard? Everyone knows that San Antonio will match an offer sheet for him, but maybe the Spurs’ brass believe they can find another diamond in the rough. It’s no secret that the NBA is securing a billion-dollar TV deal soon and the cap room will increase. What that means for a team like the Lakers, is that they can spend big and rely on their profitable reputation to make ends meet.
We all witnessed Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors receive a four-year, $70 million deal with the team. With today’s cap, the deal looks as if it is a max, but after next season, the contract is slightly below that level. Players will fall off of LA’s cap commitments, and open up plenty of spending power next off-season. Leonard could command at least $85 million over the same amount of years, a number the Lakers should comfortably pay. Leonard hails from the great state of California, so the selling of a return home could be an advantage that Los Angeles can boast. With the right tweaks and approach, maybe the Laker Way can supersede the Spurs’ financial packages.