LeBron James told of one IMPOSSIBLE free agent target - Kawhi Leonard shock twist
LEBRON JAMES will not be getting Kevin Durant to join the Los Angeles Lakers under any circumstance this summer.
Lakers: Lebron’s team COULD land Kawhi Leonard says pundit
But there could be a way to help them to land Kawhi Leonard instead.
That's according to Nick Wright, who believes if the Lakers are able to convince Doc Rivers to replace Luke Walton then Leonard may follow him to joining LeBron James.
Leonard is in high demand after a stellar season with the Toronto Raptors.
The 27-year-old controversially left San Antonio Spurs last year and has flourished in Canada.
Nick Wright
Walton, meanwhile, is expected to be sacked by the Lakers after a miserable season in which they failed to make the playoffs despite LeBron James’ arrival.
And Wright reckons the Los Angeles side could well secure Leonard instead of another wanted man, Durant.
“I’d say KD is almost an impossibility,” Wright said on First Things First.
“Kawhi, the door could be opening slightly ajar with the Doc Rivers supposed interest in the Lakers.
“That would be a big paradigm shift from the Clippers to the Lakers.
“And Kyrie we know is an X Factor.
“Tier two I think would be quite good. It wouldn’t be tier one.
“That’s Klay, Kemba Walker and Jimmy Butler.
“If you miss out on those top two tiers, along with not trading for Anthony Davis, then you’re talking about tier three: Boogie, Tobias Harris; Tier four: Nikola Vucevic, Khris Middleton.
“Now you’re in trouble spot. Now you’re talking about year 17 LeBron, a guy you’re teaming him with who isn’t actually an All-Star, that to me would be striking out this summer.
“The Lakers should be concerned but they shouldn’t be worried. They have the city, they have the team, they have LeBron.”
The Lakers face Eastern Conference leaders Milwaukee Bucks tonight, having already seen their season all-but ended.
Trades are expected in the summer as Los Angeles look to build on James’ presence to give an NBA Finals shot a real go.
The Lakers tried to get Anthony Davis on the trade deadline last month, offering six players and two draft picks for the 26-year-old.
But the Pelicans requested a further four draft picks - something the Lakers could not stomach.