It was a dangerous game. The Lakers knew that. But what, exactly, were they supposed to do once they got wind that they had a chance at Kawhi Leonard? They cleared the salary-cap space to accommodate him, then waited.



They waited as All-Stars Jimmy Butler, Kyrie Irving and D’Angelo Russell found new homes elsewhere. They waited as many of the role players they eyed, in the event they needed to break up their cap space, signed early.



The Lakers waiting on Kawhi didn’t mean J.J. Redick, Terrence Ross and Reggie Bullock had any obligation to do so. The potential payoff was worth the risk, they figured. The Lakers believed Leonard would complete the most imposing three-man lineup in NBA history.



Alas, they will never find out what that might have looked like. As the clock ticked toward 11 p.m. in Las Vegas, which serves as the NBA’s central command during summer league, news broke of Leonard’s intentions to sign with the Clippers,...