By Sunday 
The Lakers have already made waves this offseason, but things could get even more dramatic. Reports suggest that the team might actually be in the mix for Kawhi Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP and one of the NBA’s most feared two-way players.
The Offseason So Far
Los Angeles has been busy, adding Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Jake LaRavia to their roster. That’s a strong summer already—defense, size, and depth all upgraded. But Leonard? That’s a whole different level.
How Could It Happen?
The numbers are tight. The Lakers are only about $1.1 million under the first apron and are already hard-capped. According to NBA cap experts, they’d need to shed around $4 million in salary to even make a move for Leonard using their bi-annual exception.
That means moving on from someone like Jarred Vanderbilt ($11.6M), Gabe Vincent ($11.5M), or Maxi Kleber ($11.0M). None of those names have been game-changers for L.A., which could make the decision easier.
Why Kawhi? Why Now?
Leonard is currently under investigation for reportedly finessing a $28 million contract deal involving Clippers owner Steve Ballmer. If things cool down and he wants a fresh start, the Lakers might offer the perfect landing spot—still in Los Angeles, but with a different jersey.
And let’s be real: a healthy Kawhi alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis? That’s the kind of lineup that makes the rest of the league sweat.
What’s Next?
It’s all speculation for now, but this is the NBA—where blockbuster moves are never too far-fetched. If the Lakers pull this off, they wouldn’t just be contenders… they’d be a nightmare matchup for everyone.