NBA Rumors: Breaking Down Latest Trade and 2019 Free-Agent Chatter
One player stopped the entire NBA. But now, finally, Kawhi Leonard has unlocked free agency.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the two-time Finals MVP is headed to the Los Angeles Clippers along with Paul George. Suddenly, there is a new super-team in Los Angeles.
After the initial flurry of moves and a few scattered trades in recent days, the offseason had slowed to a crawl. The silence Kawhi had created was unprecedented, but the free-agent machine is about to get cranked up once again.
The Los Angeles Lakers will burn through $30-plus million to build the rotation around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The Clippers, meanwhile, will try to find a few extra pieces to fill out the roster.
Before Saturday, neither team could make a significant move because they were waiting on Leonard. Immediately after Woj's report, the Lakers re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and JaVale McGee on two-year deals, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.
The fallout continued with Danny Green, arguably the most important free agent waiting on Kawhi.
"Hopefully we get a decision soon," he'd said, per TSN, "and hopefully the rest of the basketball world, the rest of the guys can make their decisions of where they want to go."
Sure enough, an announcement swiftly came for Green, who posted a scorching 45.5 three-point percentage last year. He's joining the Lakers, per Shams Charania of The Athletic/Stadium.
While Green is especially valuable because of his defensive ability, Marcus Morris is coveted for his offensive contributions.
Over two seasons with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 13.8 points with a respectable 37.2 long-range clip. Morris will be a valuable complementary scorer—likely for the Lakers or Mavs.
Morris' suitors are dramatically clearer than those of DeMarcus Cousins, who's floating in free-agency nowhere once again.
Perhaps a change of representation and a billboard are nudging the former All-Star center to the San Antonio Spurs. But even if the Spurs are a real possibility, it appears Cousins is looking at another short-term contract this summer.
Cousins has spoken to a Washington Wizards executive, but Candace Buckner of the Washington Post notes it could simply have been a friendly conversation and nothing more.
However, now that Kawhi has made a choice, Cousins—and the rest of the NBA—will inch closer to their own decisions.
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
