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Yesterday afternoon the LA Lakers made several moves to open cap space that put them in prime position to sign a max free agent on Sunday.
The Lakers are trading Mo Wagner, Isaac Bonga and Jemerrio Jones to Wizards as part of the Anthony Davis deal with New Orleans, league sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me. Deal clears contracts and creates more cap space for free agency.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2019
The Lakers will start free agency with $32M in salary cap space. The Lakers have the ability to sign a max player now.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2019
Anthony Davis is waiving his $4M trade kicker, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2019
As soon as the Lakers cap space news dropped it was reported that Kawhi would meet with the Lakers, Clippers, and the Raptors in L.A. on Sunday when free agency opens.
Yahoo Sources: Kawhi Leonard intends to meet with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers when free agency commences. https://t.co/dYjf4oSBy1
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 27, 2019
Yahoo Sources: Kawhi Leonard intends to meet with the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers when free agency commences. https://t.co/dYjf4oSBy1
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 27, 2019
While many scoffed at the idea that Kawhi would join the Lakers a few weeks ago it seems like it’s a possibility today.
According to ESPN’s Stephen A.Smith Kawhi is “seriously considering” the idea of signing with the Lakers this offseason.
"I have received the word that Kawhi Leonard is seriously considering the Los Angeles Lakers."
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/dyfeOct6md
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 28, 2019
Former NBA player Damon Jones has been saying for weeks that the Lakers were in play to sign Leonard.
https://twitter.com/ShowtimeForum/status/1140614561357127681
Can someone have my bro @JalenRose send me a apology for doubting my reporting lol.All love to @JalenRose its just ShowBidness https://t.co/pdeD6wUg7X
— Damon Jones (@D19J) June 27, 2019
I’m not a reporter im an analyst.I never said he was close to signing.I said he’s in play with the organization.Something that weeks ago was unheard of https://t.co/GZXdQXpc7g
— Damon Jones (@D19J) June 27, 2019
👀👀👀👀👂👂👂 https://t.co/hOqvkDwMKb
— Damon Jones (@D19J) June 28, 2019
I still think the Lakers signing Kawhi is a longshot but free agency just got a lot more interesting with Stephen A’s report.