In 2019, the Los Angeles Lakers were in a prime position to pair LeBron James and Anthony Davis with Kawhi Leonard, forming what could have been one of the most talented trios in NBA history. But everyone knows what happened that summer: The Los Angeles Clippers signed Leonard and paired him with Paul George after a blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, a recent report indicates Leonard’s decision not to join the Lakers was also influenced by James.
How Did LeBron James Influence Kawhi Leonard’s Free Agency Decision in 2019?
The Toronto Star’s Bruce Arthur reported that Leonard’s decision not to join the Lakers was less about the team and more about James. “Leonard didn’t want to play with LeBron James, so the Lakers were a third wheel in the sweepstakes,” Arthur wrote.
Leonard was coming off his second NBA title and one of the most dominant playoff runs in league history. Teaming up with James would have made the Lakers an undeniable powerhouse, but it also would have pushed Leonard into a secondary role.
The NBA has seen stars join forces where one adjusts to being less of the focal point, but not every star wants that. By 2019, Leonard had evolved into one of the league’s best players and had grown accustomed to being the alpha on his team. That mindset delivered another championship with the Toronto Raptors. Joining James might have netted more titles, but it also could have diminished Leonard’s legacy. He wanted to win, but he also wanted to remain his team’s best player.
Leonard’s decision drastically reshaped the NBA. The Lakers still won a championship the following season, but they may have won more if Leonard had joined. The Thunder might have remained intact, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the Clippers instead.
The forward hasn’t delivered the Clippers to the promised land, but he did guide the franchise to its first-ever conference finals. Since arriving in Los Angeles, he’s earned four All-Star nods and landed on the All-NBA team three times. His tenure, however, has been marred by health setbacks, with Leonard averaging just 44.3 regular-season games per year across six seasons.
