Kawhi Leonard free agency rumors: Kendrick Perkins says Lakers have strong chance at landing Finals MVP
Ameer Tyree
June 29, 2019 20:45 MYT
June 29, 2019 20:45 MYT
Kawhi Leonard signing with the Lakers appears to be becoming increasingly likely.
Former 14-year pro Kendrick Perkins was skeptical the Raptors star would leave Toronto on Friday, but changed his mind later that day and tweeted that Los Angeles has a "strong chance" of landing Leonard.
"It’s going to Be interesting weekend!" he tweeted initially. "I don’t see Kawhi leaving Oh Canada and if he I see him going to the Clippers not the Lakers! Also Brooklyn, New York and the Clippers better have a strong got d— pitch because if I’m KD it’s hard to turn that Super Max with GS!"
"I take my last tweet back!" he followed. "Lakers have a strong Chance of getting Kawhi! Got d— it I can wait to see what happens! My bad!!!"
It’s going to Be interesting weekend! I don’t see Kawhi leaving Oh Canada and if he I see him going to the Clippers not the Lakers! Also Brooklyn, New York and the Clippers better have a strong got damn pitch because if I’m KD it’s hard to turn that Super Max with GS! — Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 29, 2019
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
I take my last tweet back! Lakers have a strong Chance of getting Kawhi! Got damn it I can wait to see what happens! My bad!!! — Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 29, 2019
An error occurred while retrieving the Tweet. It might have been deleted.
Perkins spent some time playing for the Thunder alongside the Warriors' Kevin Durant, and the two are said to be close friends — which some believe gives Perkins valuable insight into the superstar's impending free-agency decision.
Perkins doesn't seem to have much of a connection with Leonard, he may have gotten some insight from Durant, who is reportedly discussing teaming up with Leonard on the Clippers or Knicks next season — even though Durant will likely be recovering from an Achilles injury for the entire year.
Durant narrowed the list of teams he will consider signing with to four Friday, and only the Knicks, Nets, Clippers and Warriors are still in the running, according to ESPN. Leonard on the other hand is expected to meet with the Lakers and Clippers on June 30 before he lets Toronto make a final pitch.
It's unclear what made Perkins change his mind about Leonard joining the Lakers, but that could come to light after free agency begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.