Four reasons why Kawhi Leonard should not sign with the Lakers
LA Clippers free agent target Kawhi Leonard should not sign with the Los Angeles Lakers for a number of reasons, all of which we break down here.
The beginning of free agency is just a few days away now, and the LA Clippers have to feel a little less confident than they once were about their chances of signing Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has a tough decision to make regarding which team he will suit up for during the 2019-2020 season. Just nine days ago, on an episode of “Get Up!”, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski stated that Kawhi’s focus is on the Clippers and not the Lakers.
After the Lakers created another max slot this morning, the landscape has changed. The Lakers are now participating in the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes. Although playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis may seem like a dream scenario, there are many reasons why it could turn into a nightmare. Here are four reasons why it is not in Leonard’s best interest to wear purple and gold.
Reason #1: Competitive Spirit
James and Davis, without playing a single game together, are arguably the best duo in the league. The Lakers, without a doubt, will be a force to be reckoned with next season. They already have, in my opinion, two top-five level players. Adding Leonard would give them three. The Lakers’ path to the finals would be a cakewalk.
If Leonard joins the Lakers, many fans would view it as taking the “easy path” to a championship. He may receive backlash similar to when Kevin Durant joined the Golden State Warriors.
Leonard is perfectly capable of winning without a superteam. Whether he chooses to go to the Toronto Raptors or LA Clippers, he will be in a good situation to make another deep playoff run. He proved, through one of the greatest individual playoff runs of all time, that he is more than capable of leading a championship team without another superstar. For the competitive nature of the league, it would be best if he tried to overcome his greatest competition instead of joining them.
Reason #2: The Third Wheel
In my opinion, Leonard is currently better than both Davis and James. However, he may not be able to showcase his talents due to the star power already on the Lakers. There are only so many shots to go around and only 48 minutes in a game. If he wants to become the best version of himself on the floor, he shouldn’t play with other superstars.
With James and Davis on the court, there is no guarantee that Leonard will be “the guy” for the Lakers. Due to his soft-spoken personality and the career accomplishments of James, he is unlikely to be the main leader of the squad. There will be many situations in crunch time where he will not get the ball. For his legacy, it is best that he does not become a sidekick. He has proven that he can be “the guy” for a championship level team. If he decides to stay with the Raptors or join the LA Clippers, he undoubtedly will still be the man.
Leonard also has to be wary of becoming a scapegoat if the Lakers do not meet expectations. Fans of James have been known can to go to insane lengths to ensure blame is not put on their king. Being his teammate has its ups and downs. If the team wins, James usually gets most of the credit. If the team loses, the blame is directed to anyone but him. I’m not saying this will happen if he joins the Lakers, but considering the past, it is a likely possibility.
Reason #3: Management
Both the Raptors and Clippers have successful front offices. The Clippers front office, led by Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank, Jerry West and Michael Winger, has reconstructed the culture of the LA Clippers. They are widely known throughout the league as one of the best front offices around. The enthusiasm and determination of Ballmer, as well as the championship level roster building of West make the Clippers management elite. The Raptors front office has proven to be outstanding as well, considering the two amazing trades involving Marc Gasol and Leonard that ultimately led them to a championship.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have not looked too good in recent memory. Magic Johnson quitting his job as President of Basketball Operations in the public eye was a horrible look for the organization. It showcased the lack of trust between Rob Pelinka, Jeanie Buss and Johnson.
Also, there is no reason to believe that Pelinka can construct a championship roster. Last offseason, he did a subpar job assembling Lebron’s supporting cast. He signed playmakers when it was very obvious that a James-led team needs perimeter scoring.
If Leonard were to join the Lakers, Pelinka could only sign players to very cheap deals. It is unlikely they will be able to create a solid roster with such little cap room. As good as Davis, James and Leonard are, they would need solid role players and a decent bench to win a title. The Clippers and Raptors already have this depth available.
Reason #4: Long-Term Security
If Kawhi wants to sign a long-term contract, he should prioritize the security of future success. If he were to join the Lakers on a long-term deal it would be risky for a few reasons.The Lakers currently have James and Davis under contract. Their only other valuable asset is Kyle Kuzma.
James showed signs of being human last season and only played 55 games due to a groin injury. He is on the downswing of his career. There is no guarantee he will be the James we know for the duration of his contract. If he were to suddenly fall off, the Lakers would be stuck in a horrible situation similar to what happened with Kobe Bryant towards the end of his career.
There is a risk involving Davis as well. Although it looks like he is likely to re-sign as of now, there is no guarantee. If he were to leave, the Lakers would be left with nothing in return. If AD were to leave LA without winning a championship, considering what the team gave up, the trade would be considered one of the worst in league history.
If Leonard were to join the LA Clippers or Raptors, he would not have to risk his future on the status of two players. Both franchises have what seems like endless depth and fantastic young players.
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At the end of the day, Leonard will make his own decision. I strongly feel that the Lakers would not be the right fit for him. He is better off staying in Toronto. As an LA Clippers fan, I hope that he signs with us but am prepared for bad news. We will soon know his choice after he meets with the three franchises next week.