The Los Angeles Lakers continue their quest to form a super team around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with free agent Kawhi Leonard reportedly set to meet with the franchise, per The Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner.
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, James and Davis also plan to be part of the official pitch when the franchise makes their run at the Finals MVP.
With the Lakers now expected to land a Kawhi Leonard meeting, a source tells @TheAthletic that LeBron James AND Anthony Davis are planning on being part of the formal pitch.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 28, 2019
Leonard reportedly made a request to meet with owner Jeannie Buss and former president Magic Johnson, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, however as reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne, Johnson is not permitted to be a part of any official team meetings with free agents after stepping down from his job earlier this year.
Magic Johnson says he will help the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency in any way he can, but he is not permitted by NBA rules to be part of official team meetings with prospective free agents. Johnson said he has not been asked by the Lakers or owner Jeanie Buss to participate.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 28, 2019
"A friend of mine called and says Kawhi wants to meet with you," Johnson told ESPN, per Shelburne. "I said no problem. I'm available if that's what this man wants."
“But I got a great life. I’m not trying to mess with anybody’s job.”
The Lakers were able to create $32 million of cap space for another max slot following Davis declining his $4 million trade kicker and trading Mo Wagner, Jemerrio Jones and Isaac Bonga to the Washington Wizards.
Leonard, who will reportedly decline his $21.3 million player option for 2019-20 to become an unrestricted free agent, will meet with multiple teams in free agency, including the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors.
Fresh off winning the NBA championship, the Raptors, who will meet with Leonard last, can offer him a five-year, $190 million max deal, while other teams can only offer him four years at $141 million.
Leonard led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship this season, averaging 28.5 points per game in six games against the Golden State Warriors.
