The Los Angeles Lakers opened up a third max slot with the expansion of their previously agreed trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, trading three of their lower-salaried players to the Washington Wizards. That expectation has now fanned the flames of the purple and gold targeting star forward Kawhi Leonard.

ESPN's Steven A. Smith shared his intel on Friday morning's “Get Up,” noting the recently crowned NBA champion is strongly considering the Lakers:

“I have received the word that Kawhi Leonard is seriously considering the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Smith, repeating that same sentence only seconds later for host Mike Greenberg. “The Clippers are very, very nervous right now. And obviously in the case of the Toronto Raptors, he says he will grant them a meeting, but why should you require a meeting? You just won a championship with them, you played with them the last year. He will listen to their pitch or whatever, but I don't see how they would even need to have a pitch.

“So it comes down to Toronto and one of the L.A. teams, but you don't dismiss the Clippers, but I was told specifically, ‘Do not dismiss the Lakers, the Lakers are in play.' We'll see what happens.”

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The Lakers reportedly wouldn't go through the trouble of exercising the cap gymnastics they had to do to move all those contracts unless they were in play for a big star.

Kawhi Leonard would fit that description, though there haven't been any signs from their camp to signal a particular interest in playing for the Lakers, considering he has earned two championships without the need of taking part in a superteam.

All in all, the Lakers are hoping to drive some stiff competition and will take their best shot at all the big stars in free agency. Whether they choose to listen or not, that is their lone prerogative.