Sep 30, 2024; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) talks with team owner Steve Ballmer during media day at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

'Boy, They Dodged a Massive Bullet' – Los Angeles Lakers Were Fortunate to Not Land Kawhi Leonard in 2019, Claims NBA Exec

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 8:11 AM ET

There’s some relief among Los Angeles Lakers fans that their front office didn’t sign Kawhi Leonard when he was a free agent in the summer of 2019, especially as the two-time NBA champion, who has an extensive injury history, was recently implicated in an alleged salary cap-related fraud involving Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers.

“The Lakers wanted Kawhi badly,” the NBA exec told Ashish Mathur of Lakers Daily. “Boy, they dodged a massive bullet by not landing him. You think Rich (Paul) and LeBron are hard to deal with? Uncle Dennis (Dennis Robertson) is even worse. He thinks Kawhi is the second coming of Jesus.”

“The Lakers dodged a massive bullet by not getting Kawhi. The guy barely plays, doesn’t market the team he’s on, and now he’s in the news for the wrong reasons for the second time since signing with the Clippers. This has been a huge headache for Ballmer and Co.,” he added.

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates his game-winning shot against the Indiana Pacers with teammates at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Not acquiring Leonard in 2019 worked out well for the Los Angeles Lakers, as they won the NBA title in the Disney Bubble, while the Los Angeles Clippers have only one Western Conference Final appearance to show for it.

Los Angeles Lakers legend opens up on the Luka Doncic era

Fast forward to today, and the Los Angeles Lakers are entering a new era. With LeBron James entering his 40s, the team is expected to lean heavily on Luka Doncic, starting this upcoming season, and former center Pau Gasol is excited to watch it all unfold.

Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) on the sidelines against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

“It’s great. Obviously, we were all thrilled, shocked, and excited last season when the trade happened,” Gasol said on Spectrum Sportsnet. “It’s great to have Luka in a Lakers uniform and having that anchor for the next many years to come. Super excited for the team. Let’s see how we can take advantage of the team right now and try to have another run at it.”