NBA Rumors: It’s expected that the Los Angeles Clippers will make a run at Kawhi Leonard next summer or (via trade) before; can they pry him away from Toronto first, and then the Lakers?
The Los Angeles Clippers have long been considered the little brother in the City of Angels. There is no doubt that Los Angeles is a Lakers town when it comes to NBA basketball. By making a serious pitch for Kawhi Leonard either in a trade or through free agency, next summer could make bring more Clipper fans out of the woodwork.
How realistic is this, though?
I believe that it’s a 50/50 proposition right now for the Clippers.
Some of you think that I am out of my mind thinking that Kawhi would even think he would go with the Clippers instead of the Lakers. I get it.
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However, it is a possibility.
What can the Clippers offer Kawhi to convince him he should be part of the team?
First of all, the team is in Los Angeles. Kawhi is from the greater Los Angeles area. His representatives have said he wants to be in L.A. Playing in front of his family and friends more often is obviously a big deal for Leonard.
Another part of being in L.A is the off court deals a player of Kawhi’s stature could secure is off the charts.
It’s been widely reported that Kawhi wants a better shoe deal and if he is a star in Los Angeles that will bring the big money for him. Leonard reportedly wants a Kevin Durant or James Harden type of shoe deal. Being a star in L.A brings about those kind of mega-deals.
Next, the Clippers have Jerry West. The logo.
Jerry West is the best closer in getting players to sign with his team. The irony of West, who was a Laker, trying to outwit his old team is not lost on anybody.
West will make a serious pitch to Kawhi.
West’s pitch will probably mention that he can be “the guy” for the Clippers. Leonard would not have to play second fiddle to anybody on the Clippers. Kawhi would have to be the Robin to LeBron James Batman if he decided to go to the Lakers.
There is a ton of drama that follows LeBron James wherever he goes. Does Leonard really want to deal with that?
There wasn’t drama while he was in San Antonio, but he also had established leaders on that team with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker. He could just play basketball and not have to worry about that much.
Leonard has certainly learned that you can be a quiet leader in the NBA.
The Lakers are not a quiet franchise to play for.
The Clippers might just be more Kawhi Leonard’s speed.
Leonard would be the unquestioned leader of a young Los Angeles Clippers team. Kawhi could be the player that takes the franchise to places they have not ever seen.
The issue that the Clippers have now is that Leonard is a Toronto Raptor and what the Raptor’s may want if they were to consider a trade with the Clippers.
To get a player of Leonard’s ilk is going to take a solid offer from the Clippers. Is there any player that is untouchable with the Clippers? Probably not, but you don’t want to sell the farm either.
Patrick Beverly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Tobias Harris could be possible trading chips for the Clippers if they want to make a deal. A draft pick or two would have to throw in to get more value for the Raptors.
However, if Leonard plays a month or two with the Raptors and plays well that increases what the Raptors would want from the Clippers in a trade. That certainly would make things tougher on the Clippers in acquiring Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers are in a tough spot.
Do you go all in now to get Kawhi? Should the Clippers wait to see how he comes back from his injury and then make an offer to Toronto? Or do the Clippers wait until the NBA Free Agency period next summer?
It is a conundrum.
The Los Angeles Clippers know that they will never be the team in L.A., but in my opinion the Clippers need to go all in for a talent like Kawhi Leonard. This would show the Clipper fan base that they are trying to compete for top flight NBA talent.
Likewise, Kawhi needs to give the Clippers a serious look. The enthusiasm that Kawhi Leonard would create would be immense.
Los Angeles is a city that feeds off of “buzz.”
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What is the cool thing to see or do is what Los Angeles is about. With the Lakers getting that guy from Clevelend the Clippers need to make their own buzz.
Kawahi Leonard creates that excitement around a franchise that needs it. Bottom line, the Clippers need to go get their franchise player.