Clippers rumors: Kawhi Leonard recruited Kyrie Irving in addition to Paul George, Kevin Durant

Prior to reaching an agreement with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard reportedly tried his hand at recruiting several players to the team, including Kyrie Irving.

Kawhi Leonard has agreed to sign with the LA Clippers, leaving the Toronto Raptors after leading the team to its first championship in franchise history. As he plotted his free-agency decision, the former San Diego State standout tried his hand at recruiting several players around the NBA landscape, including Paul George, Kevin Durant and even Kyrie Irving.

Irving and Durant ultimately decided to take their talents to Brooklyn, but the Clippers still managed to land George in what proved to be one of the more surprising moves of this offseason.

According to a report from ESPN's Zach Lowe, Leonard recruited all three players:

The spike has mostly run its course. Kevin Durant is in Brooklyn. In one backroom power move, Kawhi Leonard rescued Paul George from a capped-out low-level playoff team; rejected the Lakers' attempts to build perhaps the greatest big three in basketball history; and left the league as open as it has been in years. The league's quietest superstar “found his voice,” as one executive put it. He recruited George, Durant and even Kyrie Irving at points, sources say.

Barring any unforeseen injuries, the pairing of Leonard and George will make for one of the most formidable duos in the NBA.

Leonard posted some of the best statistical figures of his career last season. In 60 appearances, The Klaw racked up averages of 26.6 points on 49.6 percent shooting from the field (37.1 percent from beyond the arc), 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals in 34.0 minutes per outing. He then dominated the postseason.

Like Leonard, George is coming off a great season. The former No. 10 overall pick played in 77 regular-season games with the Thunder (all starts), averaging 28.0 points on 43.8 percent shooting (38.6 percent from downtown), 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.2 steals in 36.9 minutes per contest. He did undergo multiple shoulder surgeries after the season ended, but he shouldn't miss much time, if any, next season.

The Clippers sent away several draft picks to acquire George (five in total). Clearly, though, the team felt good about the potential of an All-Star duo.