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Lakers Eye Three-Team Trade for Kawhi Leonard

12/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers pursue a three-team trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard and form a trio with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent would move to the Clippers, and the Nets would receive Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, and a second-round pick with a 2030 first-round swap.
Trade could shift the Western Conference, boosting the Lakers' title chances and signaling a Clippers rebuild.

History

Historical Context

In 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Anthony Davis, sending Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Josh Hart, along with three first-round picks, to the New Orleans Pelicans. This pivotal move reshaped the NBA landscape, positioning the Lakers as title contenders, similar to the Raptors' acquisition of Kawhi Leonard in 2018, which led to their first championship in 2019.

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Story summary

The Los Angeles Lakers pursue a three-team trade to acquire Kawhi Leonard and form a trio with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Gabe Vincent would move to the Clippers, and the Nets would receive Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, and a second-round pick with a 2030 first-round swap.
Trade could shift the Western Conference, boosting the Lakers' title chances and signaling a Clippers rebuild.

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