Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers: Getting it Done

With Kawhi Leonard apparently wants out of Texas, how can he end up in Hollywood?

The Los Angeles Lakers have just missed the playoffs, barely as they have drastically improved during the course of the 2017-2018 season despite the disappointing rookie season from Lonzo Ball, last year's number two draft pick. At 35-47 to finish the 82-game schedule, this has been the best we've seen from these young Lakers since Luke Walton took over the coaching job and whether you like it or not, Luke Walton deserves the credit for having transformed the Lakers from a cellar-dweller to a middle-of-the-pack team and who knows, with the possibility of LeBron James and/or Paul George coming to Lakerland this coming July, the Lakers' return to the playoffs might just happen next season. MIGHT.

Then, there's the newest possibility: Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers.

Wait! What?

While Kawhi Leonard hasn't been seen or heard from, those who have knowledge of his situation are saying the same banana: Kawhi Leonard wants to get out of Texas. And if you will ask Nate Robinson, he has his source who claimed that the former Finals MVP's preferred destination. Now, there are three teams in California: the Lakers, the Los Angeles Clippers and of course, the Golden State Warriors.

Now? An NBA executive has at least, trimmed down Kawhi Leonard's next destination to just one team: the Lakers.

Can it be done?

The answer is yes. How?

Given the fact that Kawhi Leonard is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2018-2019 season, that leaves the San Antonio Spurs and the Lakers with one option: a trade and sign deal. One possible deal is a one-on-one swap: the Lakers will either send Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma to the Spurs in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. While sending Kyle Kuzma might be an impossibility, given the fact that Ingram has improved tremendously despite sitting out the final stretch of the season due to an injury, it's a huge possibility that the Spurs will ask Ingram to be included in the deal.

Conclusion

Now that the Lakers will have three possible stars whom they can sign, they have to decide who they will keep in the current line-up. Keep in mind that the Lakers are leaning towards re-signing Isaiah Thomas. And Julius Randle? That's another thing. But you cannot deny the fact: having Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Lonzo Ball and, Kyle Kuzma can make the Purple and Gold far better than they were in the past. The only question is: can they work together as one unit?