Exclusive: Kawhi Leonard Makes Bold LeBron James Prediction

The San Antonio Spurs traded Leonard – and Danny Green – to the Toronto Raptors this summer for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick.

However, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year has a clause in his contract, meaning he can become a free agent next summer.

Leonard, 27, has been linked with moves to the Lakers or the Los Angeles Clippers ahead of next year’s free agency.

And NBA hero Hamilton says the small forward would be the perfect team-mate for James in LA.

When asked whether Leonard would work alongside James, Hamilton exclusively told Express Sport: “Absolutely. I think it will.

“LeBron has played with other great players. He played with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. He understood he needed to take a backseat sometimes and let the other guy get off.

“He doesn’t have a problem going out there and being a point forward – and allowing Kawhi to do what he does.

“I always look at it like the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen scenario, Kawhi is a guy that takes on challenges on the defensive end.

“He’s long and lengthy and he can be very beneficial to that team.”

Leonard left San Antonio on a sour note, with the Spurs stars turning on their team-mate.

The forward felt the Spurs had misdiagnosed his thigh injury, which kept him sidelined for the majority of the season.

As a result, Leonard asked to be traded, with San Antonio sending their franchise player to Toronto for DeRozan.

And Hamilton says the Spurs are currently winning the trade, especially with Leonard’s future up in the air.

“Right now, you have to say the Spurs [won] because they got a long-term commitment from DeMar,” he added.

“Toronto don’t know yet. He could only play for one year. It all depends on that.

“There’s no guarantee he’s going to stay so right now, DeMar’s service in San Antonio looks like it’s going to be longer than Kawhi’s in Toronto.”

When asked whether Leonard could end up staying in Toronto, Hamilton said: “San Antonio had enough for him to stay. It’s a situation where Kawhi will do what’s best for him and his family.

“He’s been hearing all the rumours that he wants to go back to LA, the same thing we heard about LeBron and he ended up going.

“This season is going to be very interesting. I don’t see the Toronto Raptors winning a championship this year.

“At best, they could be second in the east, Boston are the best in the east.

“It all depends on what he wants for his legacy and where does he want to be at this stage of his career.”