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What the Kawhi Leonard signing means for the LA Clippers

By Garrett Chorpenning

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the team bus during the Toronto Raptors Championship Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the team bus during the Toronto Raptors Championship Victory Parade on June 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The LA Clippers put everything on the line, and their bet paid off: Kawhi Leonard is coming to Los Angeles, and he’s not playing for the Lakers.

The free agency saga that left us all stressed, exhausted and emotionally damaged has finally come to an end — and it’s a very good ending, to say the least, as Kawhi Leonard has decided to join the LA Clippers after agreeing to a four-year deal worth $142 million.

News of the signing was first reported by Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, which came unexpectedly after a day of complete silence (outside of a trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Memphis Grizzlies).

It was a shock not only to the fans of the teams involved in Leonard’s potential free agency destinations, but to the rest of the league as well. For weeks, the Clippers had been booted from free agency conversations after the Los Angeles Lakers pulled a trade for Anthony Davis and opened up enough room to sign an addition max-level player. But, as the Clippers do, they made their moves in silence — this time, acquiring Leonard and Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George in the process.

It’s become clear now that the Clippers’ gamble paid off. The Blake Griffin trade, the Tobias Harris trade, all of the other moves that came along with those. They all boiled down to this one moment, and it all worked out exactly as LA had envisioned: With Leonard in a Clippers uniform.

Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP and two-time NBA Champion, was fresh off an incredible postseason performance that ended with his Toronto Raptors taking the title away from the Golden State Warriors. In 24 postseason games, Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He also played his usual brand of defense on his way to the Finals, locking up players like Giannis Antetokounmpo in the process.

Leonard should slide into either forward position, depending on who the Clippers choose to start at the small forward and power forward positions. Though if we’re being honest, Leonard and George are interchangeable there.

Without a doubt, the Clippers will be looked at as a title favorite for the upcoming 2019-2020 season. With two of the best two-way players in the league and a solid core of young players and overlooked veterans, the Clippers are a hungry team that seems ready to put up with the best in the league. Defensively, they’ll be a force — and the same will be true on the offensive end as well.

Next. LA Clippers sign Leonard, add George to roster. dark

The NBA is going to be wide-open next year — and as of now, it looks as though the LA Clippers will be right in the mix of teams to contend for the title.

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