The Los Angeles Lakers targeted Kawhi Leonard in the summer of 2019, and the superstar and his uncle Dennis Roberson had some wild requests (subscription required) from the franchise. Kawhi wanted part ownership in the team, a private plane, a house, and more endorsement deals. The talks didnât go well, and Kawhi ultimately selected the Clippers in free agency. The demands and the decision just got worse as his time in LA ended.
Leonard was traded back to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday for former Laker Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, one swap, and two second-rounders. It ended his Clippers tenure after seven years. Kawhi is still being investigated for his 2019 signing, and his tenure wasnât worth the headache for the Lakers' crosstown rival.
The Clippers won three playoff series in seven years and made the conference finals in 2021. This was after they traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a mountain of draft capital for Paul George to convince Kawhi to sign. This was a nightmare that the purple and gold wisely avoided. They were interested, but the demands just didnât sit right with Jeanie Buss.
Kawhiâs demands kept him from joining the Lakers
The Lakers won the title in 2020 inside the bubble. That was Leonardâs first full season with the Clippers. They were the two favorites going into the Disney event, but the Clippers were eliminated by the Nuggets in the second round.
Imagine Kawhi joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis back in 2019. Leonard was fresh off winning a title with the Raptors and was making a case for the best player on the planet. It could have been special, but Kawhi took a deal with the Clippers instead.
Leonard was never becoming part owner or getting a private plane. They were ludicrous demands, but Kawhi was trying to maximize his potential earnings. Steve Balmer won the bidding, but at what cost? The Clippers failed to reach the NBA Finals and now are facing a lengthy rebuild.
The Kawhi signing was a disappointment. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss knew Leonard wanted to join the Clippers. His demands were out of line, so the purple and gold let him play for LAâs other tenant.
The Lakers have their own current problem with LeBron James exiting, but they have Luka Doncic. Number 77 will keep the purple and gold in the title hunt. The Clippers are taking a step back and never reached the heights they dreamed of when they signed Kawhi in 2019.
Now, he is the Raptors' problem. Toronto will have to manage Leonardâs lengthy injury history, but fans saw he is still elite. Donât count the Raptors out. If Kawhi is playing at his peak, they will be a dangerous squad.
Kawhi Leonard may have won multiple championships with the Los Angeles Lakers if it wasnât for his ridiculous free agency demands. He could have teamed with LeBron and AD to form an elite Big 3. The Lakers won the title in 2020 and may have been a dynasty with Kawhi. Leonard threw that chance away by demanding illegal things from the Lakers.
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