NBA Trade Rumors: 3 players currently being linked with the Los Angeles Lakers

The 2019 playoffs are currently in full gear, however, the Los Angeles Lakers are watching from the sidelines following a disappointing season. Despite the addition of LeBron James, the Lakers failed to secure a postseason berth in the competitive Western Conference -- and the franchise is now enduring a six-year playoff drought.

Nevertheless, with nearly $35 million available in cap space this summer, the Lakers will have major room to make additions, so as we head towards the offseason, here are three players that are reportedly interesting the Lakers.

---

#3 Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard is expected to exit the Toronto Raptors this summer

Kawhi Leonard is currently starring for the Toronto Raptors as they look to end their long wait to win a championship. However, the All-Star's future with the franchise remains in serious doubt, and Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report is reporting that the Lakers and Clippers lead the pack to secure the 27-year-old's signature:

One former player said Leonard’s teammates expect him to leave for Los Angeles after the season, although he didn’t specify which franchise. Outside of a few who suggest Leonard might choose the Lakers, it seems almost everyone around the league (dating back to last July) believes Leonard will join the Clippers instead.

Leonard was expected to replace Tim Duncan as the face of the Spurs, although due to a bust-up between Leonard and the organization last season, the team decided to trade him ahead of the 18/19 season.

Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors in the deal that sent DeMar DeRozan in the opposite direction, and during his debut season, he averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. The Raptors are expected to do everything in their power to retain Leonard, although multiple reports have stated that he wants a return to his native Los Angeles.

#2 Jimmy Butler

NBA executives believe that Jimmy Butler could head to the Lakers this summer

Despite only joining the Philadelphia 76ers less than six months ago, Jimmy Butler is expected to test his value in free agency this summer. While the 76ers are believed to be keen to retain their All-Star, a Report is emerging that executives around the league see Butler linking up with LeBron in Los Angeles:

Rival executives will tell you, without hesitation, that Durant is bound for the Knicks; that Irving is likely to join him; that Leonard likes the Clippers; that Butler might choose the Lakers

Since joining the Sixers from the Minnesota Timberwolves last November, Butler has made 55 appearances, averaging 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. The 29-year-old is expected to want a near max-deal this summer, and the Lakers may face reduced competition due to the hesitation of rival teams to hand him such a deal.

#1 DeMarcus Cousins

Cousins has spent the 18/19 season with the Golden State Warriors

After his year-long spell with the Golden State Warriors comes to an end this summer, DeMarcus Cousins is expected to be on the lookout for a huge contract. Evidently, as one of the most dominant bigs in the league, the 28-year-old is a player who could help the Lakers compete in the West, and Sean Farnham recently told ESPN's Get Up! that Cousins is a potential target:

He’s going to have to find a team willing to look past these injuries and pay him a decent amount of money, maybe not a max deal. It’s the Lakers. The Lakers need star power. They need name recognition around LeBron James and I could see Boogie Cousins easily making the transition to be part of the Lakers next year.

During the playoff first round, Cousins tore his quad -- an injury that will see him miss the remainder of the postseason. Nevertheless, he is expected to be fit in time for summer training camps.