With one option year left on his contract, Kawhi Leonard had to decide whether to stay with the World Champion Raptors or try to fulfill his ambition to return to his hometown of Los Angeles. Had he stayed with the Raptors just one more season – at any price he named – there is no doubt that the Raptors would have repeated and King James would have one less championship. He pitched Masai on shoring up the team by trading a package including Pascal Siakam to OKC for Paul George and Masai might have done so if Kawhi had guaranteed that he would stay for a longer term, but it was not to be. Instead, Kawhi headed for the LA Clippers and convinced Paul George to join him there.
It was an ambitious experiment with Steve Balmer footing the bill and acting the fool as he introduced his new toys. The new toys, however, were fragile and the pairing resulted in a roller coaster of highs and lows ultimately ending in disappointment for the Clippers and Clippers fans. As Raptors fans, the sting of Kawhi leaving Toronto still lingers, especially when we think about the missed opportunity for that second championship. The Clippers’ journey with these two superstars is a tale of what-ifs and unmet expectations, colored by personal frustrations and unfulfilled potential.
The Beginning: High Hopes and Grand Plans
When Kawhi Leonard and Paul George joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019, the NBA world was abuzz. Leonard was fresh off leading our Toronto Raptors to their first NBA Championship, earning Finals MVP honors. His decision to leave for Los Angeles felt like a betrayal, especially considering the strong bond he had formed with the Raptors and their fans.
In Los Angeles, the Clippers had high hopes. They believed that pairing Leonard with George, who was coming off an MVP-caliber season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, would create an unstoppable force. The team was deep, with a strong supporting cast including perennial 6th man of the year contender Lou Williams as well as Montrezl Harrell, and Patrick Beverley. The Clippers were seen as instant contenders, with many predicting they would dominate the Western Conference for years to come.
In their first season, Leonard and George showed flashes of brilliance. The Clippers finished the regular season with a 49-23 record, securing the second seed in the West. Leonard was his usual dominant self, averaging 27.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, while George contributed 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. Their defensive prowess was also evident, with both players earning All-Defensive Team honors.
The Clippers cruised past the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs, and it seemed like they were on their way to fulfilling their championship aspirations. However, the journey would soon take a drastic turn.
The Clippers’ playoff run in 2020 ended in disaster. After taking a commanding 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals, the team suffered a shocking collapse, losing three consecutive games and being eliminated from the playoffs. The defeat was marked by poor performances from both Leonard and George in Game 7, where they combined for just 24 points on 10-of-38 shooting. This collapse raised serious questions about the team’s chemistry and mental toughness.
The following season, the Clippers aimed to redeem themselves. They made a coaching change, blaming experienced coach Doc Rivers for the previous year’s collapse in the playoffs and signed Tyronn Lue, along with several roster moves to bolster their lineup. However, injuries struck again, with Leonard suffering a partially torn ACL during the 2021 playoffs. The Clippers fought valiantly but ultimately fell to the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals. The closest they would get to glory.
2021-22 saw the Clippers bow out in the play-in, never actually reaching the playoffs at all. Kawhi out with injuries.
In 2022-23, they made the playoffs but meekly lost to the Suns in the first round. Kawhi out with injuries.
The next year, last year, they bowed out again in the first round, this time to Dallas. Again, Kawhi was out with a serious knee injury.
Going into the 2024 offseason, sources close to the negotiations revealed that the Clippers’ front office was hesitant to meet George’s demands, given the team’s limited postseason success and the looming luxury tax implications. The relationship between George and the organization grew increasingly strained, with both sides struggling to find common ground. The uncertainty surrounding George’s future became a significant distraction, casting a shadow over the team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
In a surprising turn of events, Paul George opted to leave the Clippers and join the Philadelphia 76ers, a team with a strong roster and championship aspirations in the Eastern Conference. This move was influenced by an unexpected source: a free agency video by rapper Lil Dicky. George himself admitted, “That video sold me. What hit me was the saving money.” Lil Dicky’s approach, emphasizing the cheaper cost of living in Philadelphia compared to Los Angeles, struck a chord with George and played a significant role in his decision.’ Clearly they pay basketball players for a different reason than scientists.
Reflections and Implications for the Future
The failed experiment with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard serves as a cautionary tale for the Clippers and other teams aiming to build through superstar acquisitions. While the duo’s talent and potential were undeniable, their partnership was plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of cohesion. The Clippers’ inability to deliver on their championship promise underscores the challenges of assembling a successful team in the modern NBA.
For the Clippers, the focus now shifts to… something else. Sure they still have Kawhi Leonard but at 33 years of age, his best years are behind him and injuries will only come faster and last longer. They have James Harden – or some guy who used to be James Harden. Between the 2, it will cost the Clippers nearly $90 million dollars of their payroll.
In the broader context of the NBA, the Clippers’ experience highlights the importance of chemistry, health, and stability in achieving sustained success. The allure of superstar talent can be enticing, but it must be complemented by a strong organizational culture and a cohesive team dynamic. The Clippers’ journey with George and Leonard will be remembered as a high-stakes gamble that ultimately fell short, but it also offers valuable lessons for the future.
In the end, the legacy of the George-Leonard era in Los Angeles will be defined not by what might have been but rather what wasn’t achieved – at a very expensive price. The tantalizing glimpses of greatness were never fully realized, leaving fans and analysts alike to wonder what could have happened if things had turned out differently. As the Clippers chart a new course, they do so with the knowledge that the journey to greatness is fraught with challenges.