Kawhi Leonard's recent season has been the subject of huge drama that any soap opera producer could be proud of. From his ankle injury to his departure from the San Antonio Spurs leading to his and the Toronto Raptors' Cinderella Story in the Finals, it has been nothing short of theater for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Now, Leonard has to make perhaps what would the greatest decision of his career: stay with the Raptors or pursue free agency.
Undoubtedly among the top three players currently in the league, Leonard has no shortage of suitors. Chief among them is the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James has been trying to build a dynasty of his own with the Lakers and has been recruiting quite successfully some of the leagues brightest talents.
Recently, the Lakers entered the free agency with a bang following the big-ticket trade of Anthony Davis. The New Orleans Pelicans agreed to send Davis to the Lakers in exchange for Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and a handful of draft picks - this includes the No. 4 overall pick for this year's NBA draft.
With the Lakers' frontcourt secured, the next step is to net one of the best defensive players the league has ever seen: Leonard. Leonard's intention to join the Lakers has been clear since he started working on his injury in 2017. Leonard was born in Los Angeles and has played for the San Diego Aztecs during his college years before transitioning to the NBA.
Leonard's decision to sit the rest of the season with the Spurs was even interpreted by many as a sign that he has given up his prospects with the team, and is seeking for newer grounds. It was only until he was traded to the Raptors that a resurgence of his talent eventually came to light.
The Raptors winning the NBA Finals and Leonard hailed as the Finals MVP are making it hard for him to make the decision to transfer to Los Angeles. He is already seen by ardent Spurs fans as a traitor for leaving the team, and some Raptors fans might reach the same conclusion should he decide to depart.
Nevertheless, the trio of James, Leonard, and Davis in Los Angeles are sure to raise a lot of question. While all three are still in their prime, there are questions whether these three superstars will have the chemistry to be a formidable lineup. They sure look good on paper, but can they prove it on the court?
