Why Did Kawhi Leonard Choose the Clippers in 2019?

In 2019, Kawhi Leonard was coming off a championship-winning run with the Toronto Raptors when he stunned the NBA fandom and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. After all, it was widely believed back then that he would join LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since then, the Clippers have reached the Western Conference Finals once in 2021 and even missed the playoffs in 2022. The team failed to make it past the first round in its past two playoffs -- even with a roster that once included Paul George, James Harden, and, yes, Russell Westbrook.

The question: Why did Kawhi Leonard choose the Clippers over the Lakers?

Legacy

In an interview during the spring, the two-time Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee revealed the reason for choosing the Clippers over the Lakers.

"I just wanted to go to a franchise where I could try to help build a legacy," Leonard said.

Kawhi Leonard on his decision to join the Clippers in 2019, via @GQSports.

“I just wanted to go to a franchise where I could try to help build a legacy.” pic.twitter.com/2ReuC5mFse

— Clippers UK (@ClippersUK) October 22, 2024

The problem is that Leonard missed 179 out of the possible 435 games as a Clipper and even missed the 2021-22 season due to a wide variety of injuries. He also missed the Clippers' opening game of the 2024-25 season due to a knee injury and could be out for a long time.

When healthy, Leonard showed he is one of the elite two-way plays in the NBA. Last season, he averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He also shot 41.7% from the three-point line.

What's Next for Kawhi Leonard?

That's the big question for the 33-year-old to answer. And his health.

At 33, some players already see a downward trend in their game, which could be a sign that retirement is just around the corner. And with no clear timetable as to when he will suit up for the Clippers this season, Leonard's future remains cloudy.

Leonard is just in the first year of a three-year, $149.5 million contract that will run until 2028. With the likes of George and Westbrook gone, observers believe Leonard could be the next domino to fall for the Clippers, and that would affect the legacy he is trying to build.

Kawhi Leonard is out indefinitely per Shams Charania 🤦‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/iE1rgu01hq

— Ball Exclusives (@ballexclusives) October 17, 2024