NBA Rumors: LeBron James Not Signing Because Lakers Can Sign Kawhi Leonard In 2019 Free Agency

As the Cleveland Cavaliers are in a 2-0 deficit against the Boston Celtics in the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, there continues to be speculation about LeBron James leaving his hometown for the second time in his career. When president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka took over the front office, the Los Angeles Lakers made strides to clear salary cap space to sign two max-contract players in James and Paul George this summer. While their plan has since extended to 2019 free agency, it could have major implications on James’ upcoming decision, according to Ken Berger of Bleacher Report: “He’s not going to the Lakers, because they know they can get Kawhi