Kawhi Leonard Latest Update: Reasons Why the Ex-Spurs Superstar Would Want to Play for the Lakers

Kawhi Leonard is still one of the most talked about players in the league at the moment even though news surrounding the NBA is currently stagnant. Being the reserved person that he is, it’s still unknown what the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is planning once he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

In the past, the ex-Spurs superstar expressed that he wished to play for a team in Los Angeles, the place where the forward grew up. However, since L.A. has two teams operating in the city, it’s unclear which of them Kawhi Leonard was eyeing.

Most are heavily favoring Los Angeles for several reasons. One is that Lebron James is currently on that roster. Now, this isn’t to say that Kawhi Leonard is trying to ride the coattails of the King. It’s the opposite, in fact.

NBA enthusiasts, especially Spurs fans, already know that Kawhi Leonard doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. The reticent player has always been contended staying in the background as his teammates deal with everything that doesn’t involve basketball.

And with Lebron James in the Lakers likely soaking up all the media’s attention, Kawhi Leonard might be looking to stand in the former Cavaliers star's shadow to escape the blinding flashes of the camera. Another reason that might pull Kawhi towards the Lakers is Lebron’s secret when it comes to his longevity.

Well, it’s not necessarily a secret since everyone who has been following the league knows Lebron James spends about $1.5 million a year to take care of his body. While Kawhi Leonard might not be too keen on shelling out the same amount, it’s safe to say he at least considers it given he’s been plagued by injuries in recent years.

Lebron James has a team of scientists, health professionals, and even a Navy SEAL serving as the player’s biomechanist to ensure he’s in tip-top shape every year, Business Insider reported. Kawhi Leonard can benefit from forming such a team behind him, especially with the whole Spurs situation that he experienced.

Lastly, Lebron James and the talented young roster of the Lakers are currently one of the favorites to pull an upset against the Golden State Warriors. While the chances of the Lakers beating the Warriors are slim at the moment, having Kawhi Leonard join the team could drastically increase their chances of winning.

What’s more, given that Kawhi Leonard doesn’t want to cause more injury to his body, joining a team with a strong core will take a lot of weight off his shoulders. This, in turn, can help the forward play without the team heavily relying on his capabilities of scoring the ball while shutting down the opposing side’s primary shooter. To put it simply, Kawhi will not have to exert himself constantly as the L.A. roster has a lot of reliable guys that they can turn to if a game is intensely close.