The summer of 2019 was all about the pursuit of Kawhi Leonard for the Los Angeles Lakers and the L.A. Clippers. Both teams spent a week holding off all other interested free agents as they awaited a decision from Leonard, who reportedly was considering re-signing with the Toronto Raptors as well.
Jerry West — a lifelong Laker but now member of the Clippers front office — was instrumental in their recruitment of him. Leonard ultimately chose the Clippers, forcing them to trade nearly a decade’s worth of draft picks to acquire Paul George to play alongside him.
This immediately put championship expectations on a franchise that has never been close to that level.