The Lakers and Clippers are playing a dangerous game, one that’s high-risk, high-reward.
Both teams have all their eggs in the Kawhi Leonard basket, opting to make minimal moves until Leonard makes a decision.
There’s just one problem with that plan: free agency has been moving incredibly quickly this year.
Almost every quality player was snatched up almost immediately.
DeMarcus Cousins and Danny Green are still available, but after that the best you’ll find is guys like Justin Holiday, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Morris twins.
The Lakers can justify trotting out a team brimming with minimum contracts if they land three superstars, but two is a tougher sell.
The Clippers, meanwhile, were once considered likely to not only sign Leonard, but another superstar too.
To come away empty-handed now would be a disaster, only made worse if they lose Leonard to their crosstown rivals.
The battle for LA hangs in the balance, and Kawhi holds all the cards.
Recent signings
Ben Simmons – Philadelphia 76ers (5 year, $168M extension offer)
Isaiah Thomas – Washington Wizards (1 year, $2.6M)
Willie Cauley-Stein – Golden State Warriors
Wilson Chandler – Brooklyn Nets (1 year, $2.5M)
Emmanuel Mudiay – Utah Jazz (1 year)
Luke Kornet – Chicago Bulls (2 years)
Jared Dudley – LA Lakers (1 year, $2.6M)
Jeff Green – Utah Jazz (1 year, $2.5M)
Noah Vonleh – Minnesota Timberwolves (1 year)
Glenn Robinson III – Golden State Warriors (2 years)
Ryan Arcidiacono – Chicago Bulls (3 years, $9M)
James Ennis – Philadelphia 76ers (2 years, $4.1M)
Daniel Theis – Boston Celtics (2 years, $10M)
Dorian Finney-Smith – Dallas Mavericks (3 years, $12M)
Anthony Tolliver – Portland Trail Blazers (1 year, $2.6M)
Kevon Looney – Golden State Warriors (3 years, $15M)
Seth Curry – Dallas Mavericks (4 years, $32M)
Austin Rivers – Houston Rockets (2 years)
Corey Joseph – Sacramento Kings (3 years, $37M)
Jordan Bell – Minnesota Timberwolves (1 year, $1.6M)
Tim Frazier – Detroit Pistons (1 year, $2M)
Frank Kaminsky – Phoenix Suns (2 years, $10M)
Wesley Matthews – Milwaukee Bucks (1 year, $2.5M)
Richaun Holmes – Sacramento Kings (2 years, $10M)
JJ Barea – Dallas Mavericks (1 year, $2.5M)
Enes Kanter – Boston Celtics (2 years, $10M)
Maxi Kleber – Dallas Mavericks (4 years, $35M)
Elfrid Payton – New York Knicks (2 years, $16M)
Troy Daniels – LA Lakers (1 year, $2.1M)
Michael Carter-Williams – Orlando Magic (1 year)
Wayne Ellington – New York Knicks (2 years, $16M)
Tomas Satoransky – Chicago Bulls (3 years, $30M)
Ish Smith – Washington Wizards (2 years, $12M)
Timberwolves receive: Shabazz Napier, Treveon Graham (via Golden State)
Miami Heat receive: Jimmy Butler, Meyers Leonard
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Josh Richardson
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Hassan Whiteside
Los Angeles Clippers receive: Mo Harkless, future first-round pick
Day one signings
Best remaining free agents
Kawhi Leonard
DeMarcus Cousins
Danny Green
Markieff Morris
Marcus Morris
Justin Holiday
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
Kelly Oubre (R)
Willie Cauley-Stein (R)
Iman Shumpert
Rajon Rondo
Stanley Johnson (R)
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