The Los Angeles Lakers heavily pursued Kawhi Leonard in free agency because one of their players had been told that Leonard truly wanted to come, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Leonard ended up spurning the Lakers for the Los Angeles Clippers, who acquired Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder:

But a source with knowledge of the Lakers’ thinking said they maintained the pursuit, in part, because one of their players had been told that Leonard truly wanted to come. There was a fear that they would lose out on other free agents while playing the waiting game with Leonard, but this calculated risk was deemed to be worth it, even if the structure of their meeting with Leonard wasn’t what they’d hoped for.

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Many around the league believe Leonard just played the Lakers and was planning to sign with the Clippers the entire time. After winning his second Finals MVP last season with the Toronto Raptors, it was just hard to see Leonard playing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Leonard is averaging 25.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season. The Lakers, meanwhile, have the best record in the Western Conference. The Christmas matchup between the Lakers and Clippers should be fun.