Lakers Almost Signed NBA Champion, Forward Trade Ended Hope

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George were officially introduced by the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday with both players now looking forward to creating history with the franchise. The Clippers shocked everyone when they not only landed Leonard but also completed a trade for George from Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Los Angeles Lakers were touted as the favorites to land the 2019 NBA champion and build an absolute super team alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. They held multiple meetings with the players and more than a few NBA insiders predicted that Leonard to the Lakers was a done deal.

The Toronto Raptors also held multiple meetings and were ready to give Leonard the moon but they were always fighting a losing battle as the small forward was keen to return home to southern California. However, Leonard has revealed that he was very close to joining the Lakers or the Raptors but the Clippers had a trump card when they made their offer to the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

The Clippers, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, realized early in free agency that they needed a co-star to tempt Leonard to pick them ahead of the Lakers and Raptors and thus they made a move for George by offering Thunder multiple future first-round picks and two players – Danilo Gallinari and Shai-Gilgeous Alexander. And Leonard revealed to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols that partnering with George was the clincher for him to sign with the Clippers ahead of any other interested franchise.

“I was very close," Leonard told Nichols regarding the potential of him choosing the Lakers or Raps. "Real close. But when [the Clippers] presented the opportunity of playing with [Paul George], it was easy, it was a yes. I said let's get it going."

Leonard also revealed that the plan to play alongside George began when he was with the San Antonio Spurs and the latter was with the Indiana Pacers. The 2019 NBA champion was drafted by the Pacers in 2011 but was immediately traded to the Spurs as part of the deal to acquire George Hill.

The Clippers have now been installed as the favorites to win the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2020 with city rivals Lakers second on the list.