'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#1 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are the favoured destination for Kawhi in 2019. They were his favoured landing spot in 2018 but a deal couldn't be reached with the spurs as the Lakers didn't want to part with assets like Ingram and Kuzma.
They won't have to in 2019 and with Kawhi having made it clear that they are his preferred destination, they will be in the driver's seat to land him.
Often in NBA free agency, a player's preferred destination is the most important factor in his free agency decision. The reason for the particular team becoming the favoured destination may vary.
But inevitably the player ends up there. And I believe that is what will happen with the Lakers and Kawhi. Kawhi is from LA, was born and raised there, and wants to play for his hometown team.
The Lakers have a championship culture that is rivalled by few teams in professional sports. Although they haven't been near the top of the NBA for the last few seasons, with the signing of James and the maturing of their young players, they look set to contend in the future. Adding Kawhi might just put them over the top and help them go up against the Warriors in the Western Conference finals.
Having two of arguably the top three two-way players in the game on the same team would do wonders for the Lakers.
It would help their defence immensely and allow them to have Kawhi guard the opposing team's best player, freeing up LeBron to focus on his play-making duties. It would also help the growth of the young core the same way having Kyrie has helped the Boston Celtics' young players.
While it is not a sure thing, if I had to bet on one team that would land Kawhi in 2019, it would be the Lakers because of his preference and also because of their future prospects.
