Regarding Lakers/Kawhi Leonard,
this is a really interesting read. Here's the Spark Notes version:
1. Leonard asked Magic if the Lakers tried to trade for him last summer. Magic said, "Yes," but Gregg Poppovich wanted four first round draft picks. That lines up with rumors from last year. I'd have to dig up old articles, but I recall Pop demanding the entire young core, multiple draft picks, possibly a third team to get an impact veteran, and he still wasn't really serious about dealing Leonard to the Lakers.
2. Dennis Robertson AKA Uncle Dennis (Kawhi's uncle and chief advisor) asked Magic about the organizational dysfunction. Magic admitted there were issues but deflected and said they were in the past, likening it to how "you fight with your brothers and sisters sometimes." He also said it isn't about playing for the front office but the franchise itself, joining the greats lake Kareem and Kobe, and how Kawhi can win more championships because the Lakers already have two superstars and Kawhi won't have to put as much stress on his body.
3. Kawhi Leonard wanted to know if he could bring his own training/medical staff which is what LeBron did last year. Magic again said yes because "[the Lakers] do those things for superstar players."
Anyway, things are definitely ramping up. A lot of analysts put the Lakers in the driver's seat. Leonard and his camp were asking questions one would only ask if things were getting serious. The training/medical staff thing is especially interesting. Seems like Leonard wants the same or better treatment than LeBron James. Honestly, the Lakers DGAF. They make so much money that they'll pay whoever whatever because staff isn't capped.
It certainly looks like Kawhi taking his time = surveying the rest of the league. The Sixers lost to the Raptors on a last second shot in Game 7, and they got better
after trading Jimmy Butler. Leonard could sign a one-and-one, but he'll most likely have to face the Sixers at some point. In 2020, Kevin Durant comes back, and the Lakers may be off the table because they won't have a max slot next year unless Anthony Davis takes less because his cap hold is higher than his 2019 salary.
And if anyone was wondering who the media's source is, it's probably Magic Johnson who honestly just can't seem to shut the **** up ever. I like Magic as much as the next person, but come on...