Clippers Rumor: Lakers prefer Klay Thompson to Kawhi next summer
ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne recently stated that the LA Lakers may prefer Klay Thompson to Kawhi next summer, paving the way for the Clippers to secure Leonard.
At this point, one would assume that the Kawhi Leonard rumors would finally come to an end. After all, he is with the Toronto Raptors now, a team that has every intention of re-signing him, and the regular season doesn’t even start for another month.
Well, one would assume incorrectly. This is the league that never sleeps, especially when it comes to high-profile players like Leonard.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne appeared on ESPN LA 710’s Mornings with Keyshawn, LZ, and Travis, and spoke a bit about what the Lakers may consider next summer:
"“I think they like Mychal [Thompson]’s boy. I think that would be the guy, in terms of skillset and how that would fit. Obviously Kawhi [Leonard], he’s a great player as well, but we’ll see if he stays in Toronto now. But I think they like Klay.”"
Obviously this is just one reporter’s thoughts, and it shouldn’t be taken as fact. However, what Shelburne says makes an awful lot of sense, and could open the door for the LA Clippers to secure Leonard in 2019.
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Klay Thompson would arguably be a better fit for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, and they’d likely have an easier time signing him over Leonard. Klay’s father, Mychal Thompson, was a two-time champion with the Lakers in the late 1980’s and has been very vocal in the past about Klay potentially leading to LA.
It’d be a more complimentary role, too, since the Lakers are pretty much devoid of talent at the two-guard spot. Josh Hart is alright and so is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but neither have playoff experience.
Assuming Leonard still wants to come to Los Angeles next summer, his only option may end up being the Clippers, which would have more than enough money to make him their franchise player.
More importantly, the role would be wide open for Leonard. If he joins the Lakers, he wouldn’t get the chance to be the team’s best player, something that seemed reasonably important earlier this summer.