It was well known throughout his untimely trade request from the San Antonio Spurs that superstar Kawhi Leonard wanted to make his return home to Los Angeles – but it was the Lakers that were originally seen as his primary destination.
Consecutive seasons of turmoil within Los Angeles’ most beloved franchise coincided with a revitalization within the Clippers organization. Under new ownership and the expert guidance of Jerry West, the Clips set their sights on becoming the City of Angels’ headlining act. They needed star power to counteract the Lakers’ addition of arguably the greatest player of all time in LeBron James, so West worked tirelessly to acquire LeBron’s kryptonite in Leonard.