Lakers New Signing 'Not Disappointed' Forward Chose Rivals

The Los Angeles Lakers won the race to sign Anthony Davis via a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans but in the process, they had to give up three players of their young core. They still had $32 million in max salary cap space and were desperate to add an elite free agent this summer and their main target was 2019 NBA champion Kawhi Leonard.

LeBron James and Davis made recruitment pitches to the small forward and even the player held multiple meetings with the Lakers and former player Magic Johnson. Leonard revealed that he was close to joining the Lakers but eventually the opportunity to team up with Paul George saw him choose their city rivals Los Angeles Clippers.

The Lakers were devastated and there were reports of them feeling like they were played as their wait for Leonard in free agency saw them miss out some of their secondary targets like Kemba Walker and D’Angelo Russell, who joined Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors respectively.

Davis is certain that Leonard’s arrival to the Lakers would have made them the favorites to clinch the 2020 NBA championship but made it clear that he holds no grudge against the two-time NBA Finals MVP for choosing the Clippers. He believes the city of Los Angeles will be the benefactors of having two ultra-competitive teams playing regularly at the Staples Center and is certain the LA derby will be highly anticipated this season.

“I’m never disappointed for another man. (He’s) a grown man. Obviously us having him would definitely... you could have marked it up as champions right there, but the Staples Center is going to be a lot of fun this year. Two great teams,” Davis said during his appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" recently, as quoted on Silver Screen and Roll.

“Obviously we’ve brought a lot of excitement back to the Lakers organization, where it’s supposed to be, what all the fans are used to. So that’s going to be fun, and every night going into Staples -- especially against the Clippers -- it’s going to be a battle. I’m pretty excited about it... I’m excited to be here,” he added.

This is the first time in recent memory that both the Los Angeles franchises – Lakers and Clippers – are on par in terms of talent and ability to win the championship. The Lakers have always had an edge but this season the Clippers are rated as the No.1 favorites with their city rivals just behind.