PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 27: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers dunks the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 27, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard chose the Los Angeles Clippers over the L.A. Lakers and Toronto Raptors during the 2019 free agency period in part because he wanted to go to a team where he could help build a legacy.

Leonard told that to Sam Schube of GQ, who dropped this note amid an article about the Clippers’ move to their brand-new home, the Intuit Dome.

“For some players, that was the appeal. During his free agency, in 2019, Leonard was rumored to be a Lakers target before ultimately opting for the other Staples Center locker room. ‘I just wanted to go to a franchise where I could try to help build a legacy,’ he told me this spring. (A knee injury will keep Leonard out for at least the season opener.).”

In 2019, Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to a championship season in his lone year in town, winning NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career. In the summer, the free agent was reportedly down to the Raps, Los Angeles Lakers and L.A. Clippers before ultimately choosing the Clips.

In a sitdown interview with Rachel Nichols (then of ESPN) post-decision, Leonard gave some more insight into his thought process (1:55 mark).

“I was very close. Real close. But when [the Clippers] presented the opportunity of playing with [Paul George], it was easy, it was a yes. I said let’s get it going.”

At the time, the Clippers had never made a conference finals in their entire history, dating back to the franchise’s beginning in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves.

So there certainly was a chance for Leonard to build something great with Paul George with the Clippers, who had just enjoyed a successful Lob City era from 2011-2016. Those teams made the playoffs each year but fell in the first round and second round three times apiece.

The Clippers did make the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021. Unfortunately, injuries to both Leonard and George sidelined them for long stretches and ultimately capped the ceiling of a team that had championship potential. When healthy, though, the two were superstars leading a Clippers squad in the NBA title conversation.

Leonard and George have gone their separate ways, with the latter player leaving in free agency for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Leonard is still in Los Angeles, but he is out indefinitely as he rehabs his way back from right knee inflammation. Hopefully he returns ASAP to lead a Clippers team that has made the postseason each year he’s been on the court.