Lakers and Clippers Suddenly Kawhi or Bust as Free Agent Market Dries Up
By Will Fowler
With a slew of superstars on the free agent market this summer, we expected names to go off the board quickly.
I don't think we expected them to go this quickly.
With most major names off the market even before the sun set on the east coast Sunday -- Kevin Durant, Kemba Walker, Jimmy Butler, and Kyrie Irving, to name a few -- teams with max contract slots available need to act fast and lock down their guys before it's too late. And for the Lakers and Clippers, two of the most talked-about free agent destinations entering the summer, a big-time July versus a disappointing letdown is going to come down to where one certain NBA Finals MVP ultimately decides to go.
Raises the stakes even higher. Will be tougher for the loser to recover with other signings, even with an abundance of cap space. But if you have a legit shot at Kawhi you have to take that risk. (See the Raptors a year ago) https://t.co/isV3cRkkE6
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) June 30, 2019
With reports that the odds of a Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto are steadily diminishing, the two LA teams that share the same arena have emerged as co-fronrunners for the NBA champ. What Kawhi potentially brings to both of these franchises goes without saying, but what about the team that doesn't get him on a max deal?
Kawhi is “Lakers to lose,” I’m told. Not done deal yet, but Lakers are his top choice.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 30, 2019
If one (or both) of these teams misses out on the undisputed top target left on the board, there is no Plan B that is even remotely palatable given how many role-players, 3-and-D guys, and hard-working locker room leaders have already signed elsewhere. It truly is Kawhi or bust in southern California.