Through all the drama and rumors over the past year, it seemed like Kawhi Leonard's move to Los Angeles would be all but a foregone conclusion during this free-agency period.
But the Lakers are willing to wait for the two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that, because Los Angeles believes it can sign Leonard after his current contract ends, the team won't move any young players to get him this year.
MORE: What are Celtics, 76ers willing to give up for Kawhi?
If this rhetoric from the Lakers sounds familiar, it's because it is. Top brass in Los Angeles had the same mindset when it came to All-Star forward Paul George, who many believed would only play one season in Oklahoma City before heading to the Lakers. Instead, George re-signed with the Thunder for four years and celebrated the decision with Russell Westbrook at an extravagant house party.
At the time, the logic to wait made sense, given the Lakers were years from championship contention and that mortgaging the future would not have been smart. Things are different now.
With a 33-year-old LeBron James in the picture, waiting isn't much of an option. If the Lakers are successful in signing Leonard, James will be 35 by the time the team likely learns how to work together cohesively.
There's no telling how much James will have left in the tank at that age, which is why this decision is such a risk. Only time will tell if patience pays off.