The Los Angeles Lakers' plan for the offseason has long been to acquire two superstars and have cleared enough cap space to sign two players to max contracts this season.
However, they also have enough talented young players and assets to acquire a superstar through a trade, and they have their eyes set on Kawhi Leonard, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers have interest in Leonard, each with a differing array of young assets to trade for him now and the potential of salary-cap space to sign Leonard outright in 2019.
In the end, Leonard could dictate his destination based on his willingness to sign long term upon a trade. Oklahoma City acquired All-Star forward Paul George last summer without a commitment, and there will undoubtedly be a few teams with a similarly adventurous spirit in pursuit of Leonard.
The San Antonio Spurs did rebuff a trade offer from the Boston Celtics for Leonard prior to the trade deadline.
San Antonio is still focused on repairing the relationship with Leonard and are hoping to sign him to a supermax extension this summer.
That relationship deteriorated this season as Leonard stayed away from the team and only played in nine games this season due to a quad injury, and they could be willing to trade him this offseason if things don't get better between the two sides. Los Angeles is hoping to jump at the chance to land him if the relationship does not improve.
Leonard, who averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season, will be an unrestricted free agent in 2019 if he does not sign an extension.
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