Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors: Superstar to meet with both Lakers, Clippers

Travis Durkee

Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors: Superstar to meet with both Lakers, Clippers image

Kawhi Leonard is keeping his options open in Los Angeles.

According to Yahoo, Leonard will meet with both the Lakers and Clippers after free agency kicks off June 30.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that Leonard and his team of representatives have set up a tentative meeting with the Clippers for July 2.

As for the Lakers, their longshot chances took a considerable jump Thursday when they reportedly shipped three players, Mo Wagner, Jemerrio Jones and Isaac Bonga, and their 2022 second-round pick to the Wizards to create enough cap space for a max free agent signing.

However, according to ESPN, the Raptors will get the final meeting Leonard.

Leonard posted career-high per-game averages in points (26.6) and rebounds (7.3) last season with the Raptors as he helped the team win its first title, and the city has expressed overwhelming support in the weeks since with the hope the two-time Finals MVP will re-sign with Toronto.

The Clippers are viewed as the most likely destination for Leonard if he decides to leave the Raptors, though the three-time All-Star is rumored to also have meetings down the road with the Knicks, Nets and 76ers as he mulls his decision.

California residents have been doing their best to recruit Leonard to Los Angeles, with two digital billboards popping up over the weekend.

But will it be enough to lure Leonard, a Southern California native, back to the West Coast?

 

Travis Durkee