Yeah, Durant isn’t leaving. That was my point. Lakers exceptionalism is alive and well.
The Sixers have almost one max slot if they let J.J. Redick walk and can get a full max slot by using the stretch provision on Jerryd Bayless. The Lakers are the only team this offseason that can get two max slots with the path of least resistance involving using the stretch provision on the ghost of Luol Deng and renouncing Julius Randle (NO!). Since Magic Johnson has no problems pushing the tampering card, he’ll know where the Lakers stand with key free agents before free agency. Ideally, the Lakers would trade Deng, keep Randle, and sign their free agent targets either George/James or kick the can down the road and make a run at Kawhi Leonard next year. That said, it will be hard but not impossible to dump Luol Deng if absolutely necessary. I’ve heard the Bulls may take him for a couple draft picks. If the Lakers can swing it, they can use Deng to match contracts in a trade rather than a salary dump. If the Thunder, for example, are going to lose Paul George, might as well get a couple picks for him.
I think there’s a reasonable chance Kawhi Leonard leaves San Antonio especially if he really believes the team mismanaged his injury. The main obstacle is apparently his uncle whispering in his ear. The supermax is a ton of money to pass up especially since Texas is an income tax free state, but the idea would be to make up the difference in a bigger market. For example, he apparently balked at the shoe deal he was offered from the Jordan Brand. That’s not changing if he’s still in San Antonio. Maybe in Los Angeles, the same Los Angeles that voted Lonzo Ball over Damien Lillard for the all-Star game. I’m a Lakers fan, and I still think that’s a bad idea. Take the supermax. I’ve never been one for taking chances though.