Lakers Free Agency Rumors: Kawhi Leonard’s Camp Asked To Delay Anthony Davis Trade Two Hours Before He Signed With Clippers

Dan Duangdao
3 Min Read
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

It took nearly a week of 2019 NBA free agency, but Kawhi Leonard ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Clippers over the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.

As the Clippers were viewed as the frontrunner, the narrative changed to the Lakers once they traded for Anthony Davis and maintained a max-contract slot ideally for him.

With the Lakers quickly pivoting to Plan B, there are new details emerging about Leonard’s decision now.

Leonard’s camp reportedly asked the Lakers to delay the Davis trade two hours before he ultimately signed with the Clippers, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN:

While it is unclear what happened during those two hours, the Clippers traded for Paul George shortly after Leonard’s decision, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

As free agency progressed, there was growing optimism for the Lakers as the Clippers were unable to sign that second All-Star player to lure Leonard. However, they were able to do so once George surprisingly requested a trade.

With Leonard deciding not to create a Big 3 with Davis and LeBron James, the landscape of the NBA has changed for the first time in five seasons. In addition, there is balance which should set up an exciting 2019-20 NBA season.

While the Lakers were unable to sign one of the three best players in the league, they have since split up their $32 million cap space for Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, JaVale McGee, and Quinn Cook so far.

Along with building depth, DeMarcus Cousins and Marcus Morris are still available for the Lakers to sign now.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.
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