Why Didn’t Kawhi Leonard Choose to Sign With Los Angeles Lakers in 2019?

What would have happened if Kawhi Leonard had signed with the other LA team? Yes, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers were once in the running to bring Kawhi in and were very close to signing him. However, he changed his mind and went with the Clippers as they traded the entire future for Paul George.

At the time, Kawhi signing with the Lakers was everyone’s dream. The thought of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Leonard in one team would have arguably been one of the league’s most talented teams. However, some believe that adding Kawhi to the roster would have affected the team’s depth. So, is it possible that the Lakers wouldn’t have won the championship with Kawhi?

Also, it looks like Kawhi didn’t make a great decision going to the Clippers. Their exit from the playoffs was the most embarrassing loss of the season. Losing a 3-1 lead against the Denver Nuggets led to the bashing of their former coach, Doc Rivers, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.

So, if Kawhi had decided to go to the Lakers, would his story this season have ended differently? Let’s have a look at his entire encounter with the Lakers.

Did Kawhi Leonard ever sign with the Lakers?

Even before the Lakers won the championship last season, LeBron James and co. were one of the best teams in the NBA. In the summer of 2019, the Lakers became one of the teams that desperately wanted Kawhi Leonard; the others being Toronto Raptors and the Clippers.

They all wanted the shooting guard that had led the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever NBA title. He was the best free agent in the market, and the Lakers made every move to land him. They expanded their trade for Anthony Davis, which would give them the required cap space for a maximum contract for Leonard. They also pushed nearly all their free-agent agreements, because they were waiting on him to decide his move.

In an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Kawhi revealed that he was “very close” to signing with either the Lakers or re-signing with the Raptors. However, the Clippers trade for Paul made his decision much easier.  Thus, when Kawhi chose the Clippers, it deprived the world of a potentially unstoppable and unbeatable super team. Once rejecting their offer, his chances of being with the rivals seem bleak.

Why did he not join the Purple and Gold?

There were several reports showing that Kawhi did not pick the Lakers in free agency, partly because the conversation of his meeting with Magic Johnson was leaked.

But he cleared the air during his first appearance as a Clippers player to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

“No, it wasn’t an issue whatever anyone has to say that’s true. That’s not a reason why I didn’t sign with the Lakers. The conversation was transparent that I had with Magic, and as long as me and him and whoever talked in the conversation was fair or truthful, I don’t have too much to say about it.”

Although his leaked conversation with Johnson couldn’t have affected his decision that much, it looks like as soon as Paul George was on board with the Clippers, Kawhi had already made up his mind.

As the 2020-21 NBA season is about to begin, the Clippers also have some tough decisions to make this offseason. After their terrible run in the playoffs, they need to make sure they begin from a clean slate and rebuild their reputation as title favorites.