The Lakers may have closed the deal on LeBron James but it appears they are having difficulties in locking down a deal that would bring Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reports that the deal with Leonard hasn’t taken place due to the Lakers offering a package to the Spurs that executives are calling “unacceptable.”
With LeBron officially agreeing to sign with the Lakers, it’ll be fascinating to monitor what type of leverage the Spurs can create for Kawhi Leonard, who still desires to play for the Lakers, according to multiple league sources—all of whom say offers to the Spurs have been underwhelming. One executive said the proposed packages have gotten worse with each round of negotiations, while another said they’re flat-out unacceptable.
Leonard has it clear that his preferred destination is the Los Angeles Lakers going so far as threatening to sit out the next season if the deal can’t be made. As of Monday negotiations are still on-going.
