Lakers news: Kevin Durant prediction, LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard affected
LAKERS news - Kevin Durant could look to join up with LeBron James next summer, meaning Kawhi Leonard will unlikely sign.
Kawhi Leonard isn't likely to re-sign for Toronto says pundit
That’s the suggestion from Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless, who believes Durant teaming up with James at the Lakers will be the perfect “storybook ending” for both players.
James ended his second spell with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer by joining the Lakers in free agency.
There were rumours suggesting Paul George and Leonard could potentially join him this summer but neither move materialised.
Instead, attention will turn to the NBA 2019 free agency market where Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and Durant among others could all be available.
The Lakers have the cap space to bring in one more superstar alongside James and many believe they will make Leonard their number one target.
However, Bayless believes Durant, who makes more sense for the Lakers.
In response to Durant’s comments yesterday calling James’ move to the Lakers “perfect”, Bayless hinted it could be a sign the two will link up at the Staples Center.
“This was a beautiful move by LeBron James for his individual brand. I’m not so sure about helping his legacy,” he said on Skip and Shannon.
“LeBron James was born to be a Los Angeles Lakers. He was born to finish in Los Angeles…
“Its a beautiful way… it’s fairytale because LeBron was blessed to be drafted by his ‘hometown’ team and he did at least get the Cavs to a Finals.
“Then he was blessed again to take his talents to South Beach and become the key part of Pat Riley’s Miami ’Heatles’.
“He was able to go home and won the championship for his hometown team and then went to Hollywood.
“Now the story is not quite told because this does give LeBron a chance to segway into movie making but is this the way to maximise your chances to win another championship?
“I’m not seeing it unless that guy we just heard from [KD] says next year ‘I’m going to take my talents to Hollywood’.
“What if Kevin Durant says ‘we’ve won another championship… ok that’s pretty great.’ And then he says ‘I’ve got two homes in the Los Angeles area, I’m going to join my friend LeBron James and we’re going to win a championship.’
“Would that not be a storybook ending for both of them?