NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers Using Paul George, Kyrie Irving Trades As Basis To Build Offer For Kawhi Leonard
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

For all the anticipation of the Los Angeles Lakers making a splash in free agency, they’ve also been a mainstay in trade rumors, and specifically with relation to San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard.

The 26-year-old requested that the Spurs trade him, with Leonard open to joining the Lakers or Clippers. It’s believed his preference is on joining the Lakers, even after a meeting with Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

With that, teams have reportedly engaged San Antonio in trade talks. They are said to be fielding offers but not actively shopping their All-Star.

The Lakers were initially turned away in their first approach to engaging the Spurs in trade talks, but were then said to have more productive talks on Wednesday. L.A. reportedly feels some pressure to complete a trade for Leonard in order to convince LeBron James to sign.

In their effort to pry Leonard from the Spurs, the Lakers are using trade packages for Kyrie Irving and Paul George as the baseline in negotiations, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Adrian Wojnarowski, Brian Windhorst:

The Lakers are using the Paul George and Kyrie Irving trades as proportional models for a Leonard deal, but San Antonio understands that this trade, for intents and purposes, would mean Leonard and James coming to the Lakers, and will likely command a massive package of young players and draft picks for Leonard, a two-time first-team All-NBA and two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

For Irving, the Cleveland Cavaliers received Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round draft pick. After the deal was hung up over Thomas’ physical, Boston added a 2020 second-round pick to complete the trade.

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers received Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis from the Oklahoma City Thunder. George ironically was in a similar position as Leonard — entering the final year of his contract and openly telling teams his preference was to be traded to the Lakers.

It was considered a modest return, but one that wound up working out well for the Pacers. As noted in the report, the Lakers may have difficulty in selling the Spurs on a similar package due to the widespread belief that acquiring Leonard would lead to signing James.

Medium Large is looking to add motivated individuals with big dreams and a big appetite for success to our LakersNation.com direct sales team based in Los Angeles or Orange County. If you love sports, know digital sales, and can throw your weight behind an aggressive commission based opportunity than we would love to talk to you. Please apply at: http://mediumlarge.la/?jobs=1576. If you meet our criteria we will be in touch!

You May Also Like

Lakers Rumors: Christian Wood Signs Two-Year Contract With Player Option In 2024-25

Rob Pelinka and the Los Angeles Lakers wasted not time improving their roster at the start of free agency, following through…

Lakers Rumors: Spencer Dinwiddie Signs With Mavericks

After not making any trades at the deadline last season, the Los Angeles Lakers’ only addition was guard Spencer Dinwiddie…

NBA Rumors: Physical Distancing Remains Focal Point As Planning For Resuming Season Continues

The league took one step closer to a potential return of the 2019-20 NBA season with some teams re-opening…

Lakers Discussing Staples Center Lease Extension After Being Approached About Potential Return To The Forum

For the majority of their time in the city, the Los Angeles Lakers have played home games at one of two arenas, the Great…