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 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:

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

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:

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

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:

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.

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