When the LA Clippers gave up Blake Griffin and Tobias Harris before 2020, it seemed like they were making a huge mistake. But what their (new at that time) front office was actually doing was creating enough flexibility for LA to land a franchise superstar, one who can lead the team to their first ever championship. Hello there, Kawhi Leonard.

Then 2019 happened and the Clippers had the biggest off season in history. They didn’t just land Kawhi Leonard, who was fresh off winning a championship that year, but also Paul George—a Palmdale native who wanted to come home. It was one of if not the biggest days in Clippers history because they knew their championship window (a sight they don’t see often) was open.

Every single team in the NBA will probably agree that landing a superstar like Leonard is like winning the lottery. Kawhi Leonard choosing the Clippers was extra special as well because he decided to come home to a team that majority believe is the less popular one in Los Angeles. Leonard knows the pressure is going to be on him and the Klaw took the challenge that a lot shy away from. 

Now the question is, will Kawhi be able to bring home a championship for the Clippers? Nobody knows. But if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that Kawhi will have a lot of chances to do that now that he’s set to spend the next four years with the Clippers. If Kawhi successfully leads them to their first ever trophy then he’ll be the Clippers’ version of Kobe Bryant. 

No, I don’t mean to compare Kobe and Kawhi as basketball players. Of course, Bryant’s trajectory with the Lakers is completely different from Kawhi’s. But why do a lot of Lakers fans, including myself, believe that Kobe will forever be the face of the Lakers? Because he led this team to multiple championships while giving his body and soul to the purple and gold in the process. 

Kawhi Leonard does not have to win five rings with the Clippers to be considered a franchise legend. If he wins at least one or two titles then the status is sealed for him. The Klaw will get that retirement tour that he deserves. 

Winning a championship in the NBA is hard, especially with organizations like the Clippers who really had to start from the bottom. Kawhi choosing the Clippers in free agency over the Lakers and other teams was a huge deal for their franchise. Kawhi choosing the Clippers meant acquiring George. Kawhi choosing the Clippers meant being contenders for years, at least when he’s healthy. That’s how important he is to this organization. 

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Mavericks' Kyrie Irving, Mavericks' Jason Kidd both in front. Mavericks and Clippers logos in background.

Joey Mistretta ·

Clippers Kawhi Leonard with speech bubble "I'm back" with Mavericks Luka Doncic smaller in background.

Tomer Azarly ·

Paul George, James Harden and LA Clippers logo, basketball court in background

Diego Vergel de Dios ·

It only takes one superstar like Kawhi to start the championship blueprint in any team. If he successfully wins one title for the Clippers, it can mean that the “other” team in LA can land more superstars like him in the future. It can mean that the Clippers will continue to be an attractive team for role players in free agency. Last but not least, it can solidify the Clippers as one of the few teams to at least have one title. 

That’s how big of a value Kawhi is for the Clippers. Is he what Kobe Bryant forever will be to the Lakers? Maybe not. But he doesn't need to be. He needs to be who and what Kawhi Leonard happens to be, but for the Clippers.