Los Angeles, for the first time ever, is the multi-team epicenter of elite NBA basketball.

The LA Clippers, after convincing Kawhi Leonard to come home and bringing in Paul George along with him, are the league's closest equivalent to title favorites entering a season the most wide-open season in a full decade. The Los Angeles Lakers fell short in the Leonard sweepstakes, but did well enough in the latter stages of free agency with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the way to emerge as a clear-cut title contender in their own right.

There's a legitimate argument to be made that the Staples Center rivals sit a tier above the other handful of teams with realistic championship aspiration. But from a pure attention and entertainment perspective, even more exciting is basketball's two best tandems duking it out for Southern California bragging rights.

The Clippers may play in the Staples Center, but the their spiritual home is Inglewood, where plans for a state-of-the-art, privately-financed arena to be built by 2024 were just unveiled. The Lakers, of course, will remain in Staples Center indefinitely, a dynamic promoting some followers of the league's most exciting nascent rivalry to begin showing their LA-area pride.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) celebrates after scoring a three pointer agains the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Lakers rumors: Contenders lurking after Dorian Finney-Smith declines $15.4 million optionTroy Finnegan ·
LeBron James with the logos of every NBA team in the background.
Ranking 5 best LeBron James trade destinations after Rich Paul’s bombshell Lakers quotesBailey Bassett ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles after a Philadelphia 76ers foul during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Does Lakers’ LeBron James have a no-trade clause?Preston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.
Lakers’ LeBron James overheard revealing when his wife wants him to retireTroy Finnegan ·
Savannah James, LeBron James and Rich Paul sit in the front in the fourth quarter of game four of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Lakers fans thinking LeBron James trade after Rich Paul commentsPreston Byers ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) smiles after his team scored against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
Lakers’ LeBron James makes $52.6 million contract decisionZachary Weinberger ·

Dwyane Wade chimed in with an amusing addition to the “213 vs. 312” war of words on Thursday, noting that the jersey numbers of all four stars – Nos. 2 and 13 for Leonard and George, and Nos. 23 and 3 for James and Davis – perfectly align with the location of the Clippers' future arena and Lakers' permanent one.

“How sway!?”

Just one problem: LeBron James and Davis, after Nike balked at the former's request to cede his longtime number in favor No. 6, will be donning different digits next season.