The Los Angeles Lakers still believe they are the favorites to sign Kawhi Leonard after strong recruiting pitches from LeBron James and Magic Johnson, sources told The New York Times' Marc Stein.
Leonard is the lone superstar left on the market as he considers the Lakers, LA Clippers, and Toronto Raptors.
The Lakers and Clippers have been taking a tight-lipped approach to avoid upsetting Leonard and his camp, who expect privacy while he makes this crucial decision, Stein reports.
Leonard told Johnson he was interested in having a conversation with him about his free agency. The discussion had to be separate from any internal recruiting efforts with the Lakers or it could be perceived as tampering after Johnson abruptly quit his role as team president at the end of the season.
The Raptors remain a major player in the race for Leonard after he led the organization to its first NBA title in franchise history.
