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Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers: Who will be better?

By Jacob Wolkenfeld

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up the shot against the LA Clippers on March 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 4: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts up the shot against the LA Clippers on March 4, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George ended up with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers filled out their roster. But which team has the edge?

The Los Angeles Clippers surprised the Los Angeles Lakers along with the entire NBA by signing Kawhi Leonard and trading for Paul George. The Clippers traded away a plethora of future draft picks along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danilo Gallinari.

It could’ve been questionable if the Clippers dealt that entire package for just Paul George, but they didn’t. Rather, Jerry West made the blockbuster trade knowing that Kawhi Leonard would sign  with the Clippers if executed. So, for the few people that think the Clippers gave up too much, you’re wrong. They didn’t just acquire Paul George in a trade, they also acquired Kawhi Leonard from it.

The only LA team with championship banners hanging in the Staples Center was caught completely off-guard. The Lakers felt like they were the front runners to land Leonard. At the very least, the Lakers would’ve been fine with Leonard re-signing with the Toronto Raptors. Instead, he joined Paul George in Los Angeles, igniting a potential Clippers dynasty.

Lakers fans were driven into panic mode immediately, but Rob Pelinka remained poised. Pelinka has been the victim of most, if not all of the Lakers’ front office drama for the past few months. After acquiring the best big man in the league in Anthony Davis, one would think Pelinka might have caught a break. That was not the case, however. Instead, media outlets began implying that Pelinka didn’t know what he was doing and gave up too much in the trade.

Then, Pelinka found a team, in the Washington Wizards, to take on contracts from the Lakers that would give the Purple and Gold enough cap space to sign a max-contract player. Unfortunately, that did not happen, but Rob Pelinka showed that he had a quite fascinating plan B.

After the Kawhi Leonard-Paul George news shook the NBA world, Pelinka immediately began executing his backup plan. He signed a total of six players shortly after; Danny Green, DeMarcus Cousins, Quinn Cook, JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo, and Alex Caruso. Each of the signings is for two years, besides the one-year deal made with Cousins. That allows the Lakers future flexibility but even more importantly, puts them right back into the mix of title-contending teams this season.

There will certainly be some more minor moves made by both LA teams, but as the two most favored teams to win the 2020 NBA championship, the question that everyone will be asking this season is: “Who Will Win The Battle Of LA?” Well, let’s see.

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