Los Angeles Lakers: Pondering potential Kawhi Leonard trade packages

Trade No. 3: The ideal scenario

This trade package was recently brought up by ESPN‘s Kevin Pelton. While I see it as the absolute ideal scenario that doesn’t force the Lakers to gut their roster, I don’t see it happening. Pelton makes some solid points about its potential, though:

"“From the Lakers’ perspective, I wouldn’t be willing to offer any more than Ingram, given the possibility of signing Leonard via free agency next summer. But there is value to getting Leonard a year early, when he still counts just $20.1 million against L.A.’s cap… San Antonio’s making this trade would be contingent on the front office believing that Ingram is a far better prospect than anyone else available for Leonard.”"

As Pelton suggests, it would all come down to what other teams could offer. They could easily get a quality veteran starter with an overpriced contract out of the deal. I also wouldn’t be surprised if someone was willing to package a few intriguing prospects together. Or, they could do a one-for-one swap for Brandon Ingram, who has flashed superstar potential at times.

Obviously this would be the Lakers’ best option. It gets them Leonard, who can easily replace Ingram in the starting lineup and brings a truly elite talent to Los Angeles. It doesn’t cost them any other assets, which they need to continue building toward a brighter future. Finally, it makes them all the more intriguing of a destination for another max-contract player.

However, seeing as Popovich allegedly has his rule about trading to Western Conference rivals, I just can’t imagine the Spurs pulling the trigger, especially not on a deal that only gets them a relatively unproven commodity in Ingram.