Los Angeles Lakers: Homegrown stars who should end their careers in L.A.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs
Place of birth: Los Angeles
Born in the heart of LA, Kawhi Leonard played his college ball not far south at San Diego State. Despite his ties to Southern California, he has the makings of a San Antonio Spurs lifer. In the rare case he does test the market, though, maybe the Lakers will be a consideration.
Los Angeles would absolutely be interested in bringing the Spurs’ dynamic wing home. First and foremost, he’s arguably the top talent in the NBA despite his 26 years of age. Leonard worked his way into the MVP conversation last season, and likely should have earned more votes than he eventually received.
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The Spurs’ new superstar has asserted himself as easily the best two-way wing (or overall player) in the league today. He’s won two out of the last three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and is regarded by most as an elite lockdown defender. Especially considering the Lakers’ recent struggles on that end of the court, Leonard would be a welcomed addition.
Realistically, the door could open for a homecoming in the near future. Leonard is under contract with San Antonio only until 2020, and he has a player option that could make him a free agent in 2019. If, for some strange reason, he decides he’s done with Texas, he could test the waters.
In that hypothetical situation, the Lakers would absolutely throw the recruiting kitchen sink at him. He’d be the new hero of Los Angeles, especially since he’d still be in his prime at that point in time.