Even though the Los Angeles Lakers did manage to snag their biggest free agent signing since Shaquille O’Neal in the form of LeBron James this summer, this year’s free agency period for the Lakers could arguably be considered a minor disappointment.
Not only did LA manage to miss out on the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes to the Toronto Raptors, they also — quite shockingly — whiffed on All-Star swingman Paul George as well, despite fans and analysts alike labeling it a sure thing PG would be heading to LA.
As soon as July 1st struck, Paul George shocked almost everyone, appearing at a party hosted by OKC teammate Russell Westbrook to announce that he would be re-signing with the Thunder for 4 years/$136 million.
The news drove a stake through the hearts of Laker fans, as everyone had assumed the Thunder were insane for trading away Victor Oladipo for a one-year rental of George because he would be packing up and leaving for Los Angeles the second his contract ended.
PG cited the relationship he had formed with Westbrook as one of the main reasons he decided to stay in OKC, which should have Laker fans worrying about the Leonard situation next summer.
With Kawhi heading to Toronto in a trade sending DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio, Rob Pelinka and Magic Johnson decided to bank their assets for next season, opting to wait for KL to hit free agency instead of selling the house to trade for him this season.
The bad news is, however, reports are stating that Kawhi is warming to the idea of playing in Toronto, and one source stated that Kawhi will ‘fall in love with the Raptors.’
With a whole season to go before Kawhi becomes a free agent, the Raptors will be doing whatever it takes to convince Leonard to stay in the six. Judging by the bromance Kyle Lowry and DeRozan formed while playing alongside each other, you can bet Lowry will be giving Leonard a warm welcome. On top of that, the city of Toronto is a much more exciting than San Antonio, and after living there for a year, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year could side with staying North rather than heading out West.
Even though you got LeBron this summer Laker fans, the team-building is nowhere near from finished just yet.
