(...) Regardless of half-baked theories, there is truth in the idea that Leonard’s decision almost a week into free agency hampered the Lakers' free-agent efforts.
If the Lakers didn’t believe they had a chance at Leonard, they would have tried to sign the non-max salary free agents at the start of free agency. Instead, they waited for Leonard and missed out on players that would’ve make the Lakers a better team.
In fact, even before free agency began, smart basketball minds believed it was best if the Lakers skipped out on a max-salary free agent such as Leonard or Kyrie Irving and focused on building a strong roster with shooters and perimeter defenders around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
It’s clear the Lakers were all-in on trying to sign Leonard, and there’s no way to spin that loss. But there is some consolation. Had the Lakers signed Leonard, they would’ve been limited with their spending power for the rest of the roster.
At the very least — and this is the most favorable spin for the Lakers — Leonard’s decision forced the Lakers to have some depth.
All things considered, given which players were available after the Clippers got Leonard and George, the Lakers managed to do OK. They signed Danny Green for shooting and perimeter defense, added point guard Quinn Cook and big man DeMarcus Cousins, who formed a nice combo with Davis when he was healthy in New Orleans. The Lakers also re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee.
The Lakers are better than they were last season, and don’t forget, they were a playoff-bound team before James’ injury.
Right now, the Lakers aren’t the best team in the Western Conference. They might not even be the second- or third-best. But they have James and Davis, and the 2019-20 season should be compelling — conspiracy theories and all — with the Lakers sharing the same building as the Clippers.
The notion Kawhi Leonard waited deep into free agency to join the Clippers in order to sabotage the Lakers' plans will add fuel to the L.A. rivalry.
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