L.A. Lakers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard to snub Los Angeles for Toronto, Kyle Korver is a target and more

Kawhi Leonard's next destination continues to remain the talk of the basketball world
Kawhi Leonard's next destination continues to remain the talk of the basketball world

We are now three days into free agency, and the majority of NBA teams have made major moves to improve their respective rosters ahead of the upcoming season. However, the Los Angeles Lakers have been forced to pause their offseason plans as they wait for Kawhi Leonard to decide where he will be playing his basketball next season.

In their limited business, the Lakers have agreed on deals to sign Jared Dudley and Troy Daniels, although both players will join on minimum contracts and neither is expected to play a significant role.

Even with those two additions, the Lakers still have an array of open roster spots to fill, and more veterans will be heading to Los Angeles in the coming days.

Needless to say, the next 48 hours are going to be of immense importance to the franchise, and here are all the latest Lakers rumors you need to know.


Kawhi Leonard appears to be Toronto bound

Kawhi Leonard helped to deliver a title to the Raptors during his first season in Toronto
Kawhi Leonard helped to deliver a title to the Raptors during his first season in Toronto

Over the past few days, multiple reports have claimed that the Lakers were in pole position to sign Kawhi Leonard, however, during an appearance on 'The Get Up', Jalen Rose revealed that Leonard is set to return to the Raptors:

What I'm 99% hearing is that Kawhi Leonard will be returning to Toronto and signing a two-year contract. Just completed his eighth season, that's gonna put him at 10 years. That puts him in position to get the largest available maximum deal for a player of his tenure.

If Leonard signs a shorter two-year deal with Toronto, he will put himself in a position to sign a huge max contract in the summer of 2021.

Kyle Korver is a buyout target

Kyle Korver spent the second half of the 18-19 season with the Utah Jazz
Kyle Korver spent the second half of the 18-19 season with the Utah Jazz

Heading into the 19-20 season, the Lakers are in desperate need of shooters, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the franchise is among three teams interested in signing Kyle Korver.

Korver started the 18-19 season with the Cavs but was traded to the Jazz in November. Over 70 combined appearances, the veteran averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from beyond the arc.

The forward spent 18 months with LeBron James in Cleveland, and despite turning 38 earlier this year, Korver remains among the best three-point shooters in the NBA. For his career, Korver has connected with 43% of his three-attempts and the veteran currently sits fourth on the all-time list of made threes during the regular season with 2,351.

Andre Iguodala planning on joining the Lakers

Andre Iguodala is interested in joining the Lakers
Andre Iguodala is interested in joining the Lakers

One of the most surprising moves of the first day of free agency came when the Golden State Warriors traded Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies in order to facilitate a deal for D'Angelo Russell.

With the Grizzlies out of the playoff picture, the team is expected to buyout the 2015 Finals MVP, and Stephen A. Smith of ESPN believes that Iguodala will sign with the Lakers:

Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers from what we’re being told. I don’t know how true that is, whether or not it is going to definitively happen.

Iguodala struggled with injuries during the 18-19 season, although the 35-year-old demonstrated during the playoffs that he can still contribute to a contending team.

During 21 postseason appearances, Iguodala averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.

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