- Russell Westbrook’s and Kyrie Irving’s playing statuses curiously change as trade rumors heat up
- Report: Lakers are trying to figure out whether Kyrie Irving’s trade request is legitimate or not
- Report: Lakers not willing to include Austin Reaves or Max Christie in potential Kyrie Irving deal
- Report: Lakers could include Patrick Beverley and Lonnie Walker IV in Kyrie Irving trade or separate deal entirely
- Report: Lakers would trade Russell Westbrook and 2 1st-round picks in potential deal for Kyrie Irving
- Report: Lakers could have interest in Atlanta’s Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Report: Kyrie Irving has maintained interest in Lakers as they emerge as potential suitors alongside Mavericks and Suns
- Report: Lakers no longer trying to preserve cap space for 2023 free agency
- Report: Lakers believe they’re 1 move away from being legitimate title contenders
- Report: Lakers have had exploratory trade talks involving Russell Westbrook with Jazz
Vince Carter Says Kawhi Leonard Will Be on Same Level as LeBron James With Another Title
- Updated: August 17, 2020
NBA legend Vince Carter thinks that Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard would join the next level of NBA greats if he wins yet another NBA title.
Carter specifically said that Leonard would be in the same category as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and legend Kobe Bryant.
Vince Carter says another title for Kawhi puts him in the same conversation as MJ, Kobe and LeBron
(🎥@GetUpESPN ) pic.twitter.com/QzjWRiSRK5
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 17, 2020
“A third championship for Kawhi will just bump him up to that next level of the upper echelon of basketball players in the history of the game,” Carter said. “I’m not going to say the greatest. We know there’s a lot of guys. There’s three guys right now in that conversation and I think if LeBron wins he bumps himself up to that next level.
“But Kawhi now puts himself in the conversation of one of the greatest players in our league’s history because of what he can accomplish, particularly if he wins the [NBA Finals] MVP as well.”
If Leonard were to win NBA Finals MVP, he would be the first player ever to win Finals MVP for three different teams.
Carter went on to detail his three players that he believes are in the greatest-of-all-time conversation, something he thinks Leonard can join.
“M.J. (Michael Jordan), Kobe and I think LeBron are right there,” Carter said. “I still think M.J. is the greatest — and Kobe — there’s the debate that could toss with — it depends on what week you’re talking about this. And LeBron wins another one, you put him right there in that conversation, one step closer let me say.
“And now Kawhi, you win three championships, three MVPs, he’s now a conversation piece as well.”
While Carter isn’t saying that Leonard would become the greatest of all time by winning the title this year, he would be opening the door to be in the conversation.
Leonard and the Clippers will likely have to go through the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals if they want to make their dreams of winning a championship a reality.