Opinion: Lakers lost out on Kawhi Leonard, but all is not lost
LOS ANGELES — It would have been more potent than Kobe and Shaq.
It could have been more scintillating than Showtime.
It should have been, as Jared Dudley said, a Big Three “on steroids.’’
Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
So much for the purple-and-gold fantasy of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard all suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers and their fans suffered a humbling loss on Friday when Leonard agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Yes, the once-lowly Clippers have outmaneuvered the Lakers not only for Leonard, but also for Paul George.
Yet humbling as it might be for the Lakers, it’s not a catastrophic setback either.
The hope of landing Leonard felt like more of a long shot than an inevitability — and let’s not forget how the Lakers upgraded their roster in a significant way.
Landing Davis gives James the dominant player he needs to transform the Lakers from afterthought into a title contender. That’s right, title contender.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis in attendance for the NBA Summer League game between the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports)
With the signing of Danny Green, the Lakers acquired an established shooter with a championship pedigree. They’ve also signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, according to ESPN, which will help fill out a roster stripped of players after the Lakers shipped Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart to the New Orleans Pelicans for Davis.
Oh, and there’s also Dudley, who’s clearly good for a pithy quote.
And don't forget Kyle Kuzma, who has All-Star potential and may eventually help form a Lakers Big Three — if not "on steroids".
Maybe the once glorious Lakers would have been able to reel in Leonard — or George, for that matter — when Jerry Buss still presided over the organization. But these aren’t the once glorious Lakers, the victim of family infighting until Jeanie Buss assumed control. They’re no longer Los Angeles laughingstocks either after acquiring Davis and Green.
That will help them and their fans absorb the loss of Leonard, if not altogether eliminate the sting.
Follow Josh Peter on Twitter @joshlpeter11
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