Kawhi Leonard was the biggest prize of the 2019 NBA free-agent class, and the Los Angeles Lakers were among the teams hoping to sign the reigning NBA Finals MVP. However, Leonard ultimately joined the Los Angeles Clippers after his representatives reportedly made a series of unusual requests during negotiations with the Lakers.
According to reports at the time, Leonard’s uncle and adviser, Dennis Robertson, asked Lakers governor Jeanie Buss about benefits that extended well beyond a standard NBA maximum contract.
What Did Kawhi Leonard Reportedly Ask the Lakers For?
During Leonard’s 2019 free agency, Robertson reportedly discussed several potential benefits with the Lakers.
The reported requests included:
- Part ownership of the Lakers
- Access to a private plane
- A house
- Guaranteed off-court endorsement income
- A maximum NBA contract for Leonard
The requests were particularly significant because NBA rules restrict teams from providing players with additional compensation or benefits outside their contracts as an incentive to sign.
Buss reportedly informed Robertson that the Lakers could not provide benefits that would violate NBA rules or potentially constitute salary-cap circumvention.
Did Kawhi Leonard Ask for Lakers Ownership?
One of the most eye-catching reported requests involved an ownership stake in the Lakers.
Robertson reportedly questioned why an ownership arrangement could not be offered to Leonard and referenced Magic Johnson’s previous ownership stake in the franchise.
However, Johnson’s situation was substantially different. His ownership interest came after his playing career and was not provided as an incentive for him to sign an NBA player contract.
Giving an active free agent an ownership stake as part of recruiting him could create significant issues under the NBA’s collective bargaining and salary-cap rules.
Kawhi Leonard Was Coming Off a Historic Raptors Championship
Leonard entered free agency with enormous leverage.
The Toronto Raptors acquired Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs before the 2018-19 season, and the move immediately paid off.
Leonard led Toronto to its first NBA championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. He was named NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career.
That performance made Leonard arguably the most sought-after free agent on the market.
The Lakers offered an especially intriguing possibility.
Leonard could have joined LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles, potentially creating one of the most talented superstar trios in NBA history.
Why Didn’t Kawhi Leonard Join the Lakers?
Leonard ultimately chose the Clippers instead.
On July 6, 2019, Leonard agreed to join the Clippers, while Los Angeles simultaneously completed a blockbuster trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for Paul George.
The Clippers’ acquisition of George was considered a crucial component of Leonard’s decision.
Leonard subsequently signed a three-year maximum contract worth approximately $103 million with the Clippers, including an option for the final season.
Instead of forming a superteam alongside James and Davis, Leonard elected to compete against the Lakers in the same city.
Did the NBA Investigate Kawhi Leonard’s Free Agency?
Questions surrounding Leonard’s recruitment eventually attracted attention from the NBA.
The league investigated whether the Clippers had provided Leonard or his representatives with improper benefits during the free-agent process.
At the time, there was no evidence publicly established showing that the Clippers had provided the specific benefits reportedly requested during discussions with the Lakers.
NBA rules prohibit teams from circumventing the salary cap by providing players with undisclosed compensation or benefits outside their contracts.
What Would the Lakers Have Looked Like With Kawhi Leonard?
Had Leonard signed with the Lakers, the franchise could have entered the 2019-20 season with a core featuring:
LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard.
James and Davis ultimately didn’t need another superstar to win a championship.
The Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals, capturing the franchise’s 17th NBA championship.
The Clippers, meanwhile, entered the postseason as one of the championship favorites but were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals after surrendering a 3-1 series lead.
The contrasting outcomes made Leonard’s decision one of the biggest “what if?” moments in recent NBA history.
Why Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 Lakers Demands Still Matter
Leonard’s 2019 free agency remains one of the most fascinating player-recruitment sagas of the modern NBA.
The reported requests made by his camp illustrate the extraordinary leverage superstar players can possess during free agency, while also highlighting the restrictions NBA teams face when attempting to recruit elite talent.
The Lakers were reportedly asked about ownership, private-aircraft access, housing and guaranteed endorsement opportunities in addition to Leonard’s maximum contract.
Los Angeles ultimately couldn’t—or wouldn’t—provide those benefits.
Leonard chose the Clippers, the Lakers moved forward with James and Davis, and the decision helped shape the Western Conference for years afterward.
Seven years later, the details surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 free agency continue to attract attention whenever questions emerge about player compensation, salary-cap circumvention and the lengths NBA franchises can legally go to recruit superstars.