LeBron James to Lakers: Spurs star Kawhi Leonard still wants LA trade – NBA insider

James signed a four-year deal worth $154million (£116.7m) which will give him at least $35m (£26.5m) per season to move to LA after opting out of his final year with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

And according to uber-reliable NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, All-Star forward Leonard remains keen to join James in California as trade talks continue.

The ESPN journalist tweeted: “Sources: As trade talks have unfolded, Kawhi Leonard’s focus is unchanged: He wants to be a Laker.”

Leonard has endured a fractious last 12 months with the San Antonio Spurs, a fall-out with the franchise occurring as a result of doubts over his quadriceps injury.

The 26-year-old, a two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, played just nine games for the Spurs in 2017-18 but locked horns with the Spurs after seeking a second medical opinion on his issue after having been cleared to return to the active roster.

And the Lakers is Leonard’s first-choice destination even though the Philadelphia 76ers are also keen on him, having missed out on James. 

James could single-handedly help to end the Lakers’ woes, having been outside of the playoffs for five years – the longest period in the illustrious franchise’s history.

But signing another superstar in Leonard, alongside James, would significantly boost the Lakers’ chances of downing the Golden State Warriors, who have claimed three of the last four championships – beating James’ Cavs each time, including a 4-0 sweep last month.

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Trading for Leonard, however, would likely force the Lakers to commit to losing some of their young talent – such as Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram.

And given it is widely thought that Leonard wants to sign for the Lakers in 2019, when he will enter free agency, the 16-time NBA winners may be willing to wait a year – particularly having landed James already despite reports they would require Leonard first.

Missing out on Leonard this summer would however leave a lot up to four-time MVP James if they intend to compete for a championship in 2018-19.

Leonard wanted to move back to his hometown even before James settled on his future but the 33-year-old’s decision will undoubtedly have convinced the Spurs ace that he can potentially win more rings if he moves to LA.

The Lakers, who had huge cap space this summer, missed out on Paul George after he re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder following links to the Staples Center.

But they have also signed shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to a one-year deal, which means almost all of their cap space is now taken up.