How Lakers Can Get Both Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard In 2019

There is a scenario that could see the Los Angeles Lakers sign both Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard in 2019.

After signing LeBron James to a four-year deal, the plan for the Los Angeles franchise was to add one more, if not two, star players to complement the team.

Leonard and Paul George were the two main targets. However, things did not pan out as the San Antonio Spurs demanded too much for Leonard, who had a year left on his deal, while George decided to re-sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Leonard could become an unrestricted free agent next year though, as he was eventually traded by the Spurs to the Toronto Raptors, and is expected by many to leave next summer.

Thompson is another who can become a free agent next summer when his Golden State Warriors contract expires and recent reports stated he was a target for the Lakers.

The Lakers though, only have the cap space for one max contract next year and ESPN's Ramona Shelburne revealed last week if given a choice, they'd prefer Thompson.

"In terms of who they target next year, it’s whoever wants to come," Shelburne said. "My feeling about it, my sense from just talking to people in and around this (is that) one, it’s a little early, but I think they like Mychal’s boy [Klay]."

"I think that would be the guy, in terms of skill-set and how that would fit. Obviously Kawhi, he’s a great player as well, but we’ll see if he stays in Toronto now. But I think they like Klay," she added.

However, as ESPN's Bobby Marks recently noted on "The Jump," the Lakers could sign both players next year, provided they trade for Leonard before the Feb. 7 trade deadline.

It would come at the cost of some of their younger players though.

"The perfect storm for the Lakers would be that Toronto slides during the year and they get Kawhi at the trade deadline for some of their younger players," Marks said, as quoted on the Express. "Then you have cap space to get a Klay Thompson because right now you can only get one of them in. If I’m the Lakers, Klay is my No. 1 choice."

Trading at least two, possibly three, of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart would be a risk, as each of those players have huge potential.

However, it would also be worth it if allowed them to sign two of the best players in the NBA today, especially as the Lakers would prefer an instant return to the glory days, having last won a championship in 2010.

Although it's their best chance since 2012, the Lakers just have a five percent chance of making the NBA Finals this year, and it would considerably increase next year with Thompson and Leonard in their ranks to aid James.