When Kawhi Leonard shocked the basketball world in the summer of 2019 by signing with the Los Angeles Clippers instead of the Los Angeles Lakers, it instantly reshaped the balance of power in the NBA. The Lakers had aggressively pursued him, hoping to add Leonard alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis to form a superteam that would have likely dominated the league for years. But Leonard chose the Clippers, and in doing so, sparked one of the most intriguing and often chaotic periods in modern NBA history. Now, years later, a Lakers source reflecting on Leonard’s decision has revealed a sense of relief within the Lakers organization. According to the report, the Lakers not only count their blessings that Leonard didn’t come aboard, but also view his tenure with the Clippers as something of a headache, even expressing sympathy for the cross-town rivals.
The irony is rich. At the time, Leonard spurning the Lakers was seen as a major blow. Many critics and fans believed that by missing out on Leonard, the Lakers would fall short of building the dynasty they envisioned. Leonard was fresh off an iconic playoff run with the Toronto Raptors, leading them to their first NBA championship and winning Finals MVP. His reputation as the league’s premier two-way player was solidified, and his decision was supposed to usher in a new golden age for the Clippers, who had long been overshadowed by the Lakers’ history and prestige. Instead, the years that followed have been riddled with injuries, inconsistency, and frustration for the Clippers.
From the Lakers’ perspective, the statement about “counting their blessings” highlights how things played out differently than expected. Without Leonard, they focused on building around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. That core delivered an NBA championship in 2020 during the Orlando bubble, cementing the team’s relevance and proving they didn’t need Leonard to reach the mountaintop. For the Clippers, however, Leonard’s time has been defined by what could have been. He and Paul George were supposed to lead the Clippers to multiple championships, but the duo has consistently battled injuries at critical moments, preventing them from ever truly reaching their potential together.
The word “headache” used by the Lakers source is telling. Leonard has earned a reputation for being meticulous and private, often keeping his health and intentions close to the vest. His injury management has sometimes clashed with team expectations, and his infamous “load management” routine has become one of the most polarizing storylines in the NBA. While some applaud Leonard for prioritizing his long-term health, others see it as disruptive to team chemistry and unfair to fans. The Clippers have bent over backward to accommodate him, but it hasn’t translated into the playoff success they envisioned. In contrast, the Lakers appear to be expressing gratitude that they avoided the drama and were able to maintain organizational stability by focusing on their own stars.
From the outside, it’s hard not to compare what the two franchises have achieved since 2019. The Lakers’ bubble championship may have been unconventional, but it counts the same as any other title and stands as proof of success. Meanwhile, the Clippers’ lone high-water mark was a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021, a run that ended without Leonard, who suffered a torn ACL during the playoffs. Every other season has ended in disappointment, often derailed by injuries or underwhelming performances. For a franchise desperate to escape the shadow of the Lakers, Leonard’s tenure has only deepened the perception that the Clippers are cursed.
The comment from the Lakers source also carries an undertone of rivalry. The Lakers and Clippers have long shared the same city but not the same prestige. For decades, the Lakers have been the crown jewel of Los Angeles, winning titles, developing legends, and building a global brand. The Clippers, by contrast, have been seen as the underdog, the team that could never quite get out of the Lakers’ shadow. When Leonard signed with the Clippers, it felt like the tide might finally turn — that the Clippers could steal the spotlight. But five years later, it’s the Lakers who remain the more accomplished team in the city, while the Clippers have been stuck with what feels like unfulfilled promises.
Injuries are, of course, the main culprit. Leonard has rarely been able to string together a fully healthy season since joining the Clippers. Knee problems, including the ACL tear and recurring soreness, have cost him dozens of games. This constant uncertainty makes it nearly impossible for a team to establish rhythm, both in the regular season and the playoffs. Paul George has also battled his own injuries, compounding the issue. For the Lakers, watching their rivals struggle with the very star they once coveted provides some ironic satisfaction. Their suggestion that Leonard has been a “headache” is not just about his physical availability but also about the organizational strain that comes with building around a superstar who is frequently unavailable.
The sympathy expressed in the comment — “I actually feel bad for them sometimes” — is almost as cutting as the criticism. For a proud franchise like the Lakers, pity toward their city rivals underscores just how far the Clippers have fallen short of expectations. The Clippers built their entire identity around Leonard and George, rebranding themselves as a serious contender, moving into a new arena, and promoting themselves as equals to the Lakers. Yet the lack of tangible success has left them in a difficult position, and for the Lakers to feel pity only reinforces the perception that the Clippers’ gamble has backfired.
Still, it’s worth considering the alternate reality. Had Leonard chosen the Lakers in 2019, it’s possible that he, LeBron, and Davis would have formed one of the most dominant trios in NBA history. On paper, the fit was nearly perfect — Leonard’s defense and scoring ability would have complemented LeBron’s playmaking and Davis’s versatility. But given Leonard’s injury history, it’s also possible that the experiment would have been riddled with the same problems that plagued the Clippers. The Lakers may have avoided that fate by circumstance, allowing them to achieve success with a more stable core.
For Leonard, his legacy remains complicated. He is unquestionably one of the most talented players of his generation, a two-time Finals MVP and a player capable of taking over games on both ends of the floor. But his time with the Clippers has not matched the highs of his stints in San Antonio and Toronto. Fair or not, he is often judged by availability rather than ability. Fans and analysts alike wonder what might have been had he been healthy for full playoff runs. As the years pass, the window for the Clippers to capitalize on their superstar duo grows smaller, and Leonard’s career enters a stage where questions about longevity and legacy become more pressing.
For the Lakers, the takeaway is clear: missing out on Leonard was not the catastrophe it seemed in 2019. They found success without him and avoided the constant uncertainty that has plagued the Clippers. Their recent comments reflect not only relief but also a subtle reminder of their superiority in the city rivalry. Even when they miss out on a superstar, the Lakers seem to find a way to land on their feet, while the Clippers continue to battle the weight of unmet expectations.
The story of Kawhi Leonard’s decision in 2019 is one of the great “what-ifs” in NBA history. It could have created an unprecedented superteam for the Lakers, but instead, it gave the Clippers their best chance at legitimacy. Yet the reality has unfolded much differently, and with hindsight, the Lakers see themselves as fortunate to have avoided the complications that came with Leonard. The championship they secured and the continued relevance of their brand are proof enough that they don’t need to dwell on what could have been. Meanwhile, the Clippers remain in pursuit of the success that continues to elude them, stuck with a superstar who has been as frustrating as he has been brilliant.
In the end, the Lakers’ perspective is not just about Kawhi Leonard but about the franchise’s identity. The Lakers expect success, and when they don’t achieve it, they find ways to adjust and bounce back. The Clippers, despite their efforts, are still trying to establish themselves on that level. Leonard’s tenure has not given them the breakthrough they sought, and the Lakers’ comment about being thankful they avoided the “headache” serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in professional sports. Sometimes the biggest victories come not from the players you acquire, but from the ones you don’t.
