The Los Angeles Lakers would be the overwhelming favorite to sign Kawhi Leonard if he becomes a free agent in the wake of his worsening drama with the Clippers. Pablo Torre dropped a follow-up podcast on Sept. 11 that further connected the franchise to circumventing the salary cap to pay Kawhi. If the reporting is true, the NBA will have to levy a punishment, which could include voiding his contract. Leonard likely wants to stay in Los Angeles if he hits the open market.
Fans will point to his unwillingness to play with LeBron James, but this could be the GOAT’s final season. Leonard wanted to be in Southern California when he chose the Clippers in free agency in 2019. It is unlikely he leaves home now, especially with no team able to offer him a massive contract until the offseason.
The owners are pushing for the league to do something in the wake of this scandal, and the investigation is already underway. The harshest punishment includes voiding his current contract. Owners are chanting for it, but those would quickly turn into cries if Kawhi joins Luka Doncic and LeBron James. This hilarious scenario could quickly become reality if the NBA finds hard evidence of cap circumvention.
The NBA may gift Kawhi Leonard to the Lakers in the wake of his scandal
For those not following. Leonard had a $28 million endorsement contract with Aspiration, but he never actually performed services for the company. Torre’s latest evidence links the Clippers' lone co-owner to making a payment to the company, which appeared to quickly be rerouted to Kawhi. The evidence is piling up, and Ballmer should be preparing for the worst.
Voiding his contract would cost Leonard millions of dollars. No franchise would be able to give him anywhere near the $50 million he is scheduled to earn from the Clippers this season. Kawhi wants to maximize his earnings, but this could be his chance to get another ring. Does Leonard chase the championship and stay in Los Angeles to do it if he hits free agency?
The Lakers would instantly be title favorites with their new Big 3. They must make a trade to clear enough room to sign Kawhi, but dumping one of their expiring contracts shouldn’t be challenging.
This would be the perfect finishing piece for the Lakers. They wouldn’t have to worry about his injury history or fit. Kawhi would strictly be a luxury piece, and the best one of all time. The two-time Finals MVP offers elite scoring, efficiency, and defense. It would be a massive upgrade that makes the league’s most popular franchise the unquestioned favorites to win it all.
The NBA would be making a grave mistake in voiding his contract. Commissioner Adam Silver loves parody, and making Kawhi a midseason free agent would be the opposite of that. It would allow an elite talent to join an established contender on a discount. The Lakers would love it, but it would be a negative look for Silver and the league.
It can’t be ruled out, though. The NBA must make an example out of the Clippers, or other teams will follow suit.
The Los Angeles Lakers could get a massive boost from the rival Clippers' alleged salary cap circumvention. Fans may finally get to see Kawhi Leonard in purple and gold. The Lakers would instantly be title favorites. The investigation is still unfolding, but the resolution could be league-altering. Someone will benefit, and the Lakers are in the driver’s seat to be that franchise. Fans can only hope it becomes a reality soon.