The Los Angeles Lakers could be eyeing Kawhi Leonard as a blockbuster offseason target in summer 2026—especially if LeBron James departs, per a fresh report from Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (Feb. 23, 2026).
L.A. is shifting to a Luka Dončić-led future, planning to re-sign Austin Reaves long-term as his co-star. But LeBron’s status (41, $52.6M expiring deal) hangs in the balance: retirement, a pay cut to stay, or a move elsewhere (Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors heavily rumored). If LeBron leaves, Lakers project $47-50M+ in cap space (plus room MLE), freeing them to chase a superstar or stack defenders/shooters around Dončić’s pick-and-roll/spacing game.
Lakers May View Kawhi Leonard As Dream LeBron Replacement
Gozlan calls Leonard one of the Lakers’ “dream offseason targets” if realistic. Kawhi is having one of his best seasons in years with the Clippers: averaging ~27.8-28.0 PPG, 6.3-6.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, 2.0 SPG/BPG (sources vary), efficient and dominant as the franchise face.
The Clippers are in turmoil: title window shut after trading James Harden (to Cleveland) and Ivica Zubac (to Indiana). They’ve lost multiple first-round picks in past deals, and the ongoing Aspiration scandal (alleged cap circumvention via off-books payments to Kawhi) could lead to severe penalties—including voiding his contract, making him a free agent. Leonard has one year left ($50.3M for 2026-27); extending an injury-prone 34-35-year-old is tough to justify.
If Clippers can’t/won’t commit long-term, trading Kawhi becomes the path to flexibility—with young pieces like Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin as the new core. Lakers could pursue via three-team trade (direct L.A.-L.A. deals rare), offering talent Clippers covet for salary match.
Why Kawhi fits? Same forward spot as LeBron but younger, elite two-way (better defender), playoff pedigree, and spacing. Pairing him with Dončić (younger, more years ahead) + Reaves creates a high-ceiling core—Dončić as engine, Kawhi as closer/defender, Reaves as connector.
Risks: Kawhi’s load management/injury history persists, and cross-town rivalry adds drama. But with cap space and limited picks, this is a “dream” swing if Clippers open the door.
Summer 2026 looms huge: LeBron stays (pay cut?), retires, or bolts? Kawhi crosses town? Or Lakers chase Giannis (bigger dream, tougher path)?
Lakers Nation—what do you think? Kawhi the perfect Dončić fit? Or too risky? Drop your takes below!