Stephen A Smith was speaking with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports during his radio show Wednesday and ended his interview abruptly to announce “a couple of reliable sources” had just told him Kawhi Leonard is going to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here’s a video clip of the ESPN host making the announcement:
Interestingly, this occurred right around the same time that Leonard had arrived in Toronto — to some ridiculous fanfare, we might add — for a meeting with the Raptors brass.
Leonard has kept his intentions close to the vest, and reports have come out that he has told teams to keep quiet about any meetings. Despite that the Lakers were said to believe that they were in the lead for his services as of Tuesday.
Other reporters have indicated Leonard is focused on the Lakers as well.
If Leonard does, in fact, choose the Lakers, then they would instantly be among the top teams in either conference with a big three to rival any in the Association. If Leonard ends up signing elsewhere, then the Lakers will once again have to head back to the drawing board after failing to meet the expectations of their fans.