Kevin Durant: 5 free agency spots that would be more fun than the Warriors
5. Los Angeles Lakers
For some, Kevin Durant joining the Los Angeles Lakers just because they’re the Lakers might be more obnoxious than simply re-signing with the defending champs. Still, considering how tight the current free agency market will be and how few teams have meaningful cap space readily available, we can’t ignore one of the winningest franchises in NBA history.
Per Spotrac, the Lakers could free up $61.9 million in practical cap space, giving them two slots for max deals. LeBron James and Paul George are the popular names that keep surfacing in free agency, and potential trades for Kawhi Leonard are flying all over the place, but in this fantasy land where KD is ready for his next chapter, L.A. would make a ton of sense.
Though the Lakers would really have to dig deep to convince the San Antonio Spurs to do business with the them, if they were able to trade for Kawhi and then sign one of LeBron or PG-13 before landing KD as well? That roster would be replete with versatile, two-way stars on the wing who could challenge Golden State’s reign.
This doesn't guarantee Kawhi Leonard is going to the Lakers this week -- since San Antonio could always trade him elsewhere and/or drag things out -- but league sources say of the Spurs: "They're ready" to move on from Kawhi
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2018
Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma would likely be gone in the event of a Kawhi trade, plus multiple picks. Re-signing Julius Randle would pretty much be out the window, and the Lakers would have to look to veteran minimum deals to round out the roster after ponying up for both LeBron/George and KD.
However, the team has established youth on the rise, which would help fill out the bench, plus a pass-first point guard in Lonzo Ball to make life easier on everyone.
With that being said, a team built around LeBron, KD and Kawhi might not have the depth to contend with Golden State or the Houston Rockets, especially with Leonard’s health still being a concern and one of the three having to log minutes at the 4. That wing trio would be incredible, but there are still better options to consider.