As Kawhi Leonard was looking to separate from the San Antonio Spurs last summer via trade, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as one of the potential landing spots for the Southern California native.
Speculation reached a fever pitch after the Lakers signed LeBron James, as most expected the team to pursue a second All-Star. Although there were reports of continued talks between the Lakers and Spurs, they weren’t believed to have advanced much.
Leonard was eventually traded to the Toronto Raptors, who elected to gamble in the same fashion the Oklahoma City Thunder did when acquiring Paul George.