Kawhi’s Playing Chess: How Leonard Restored the Balance in The League.
In the wee hours of Saturday morning last week, Kawhi Leonard‘s Free Agency decision all shook up the NBA world. It just so happens that an earthquake in Las Vegas, which forcedthe summer league debuts of Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett to be postponed into the fourth quarter was the precursor to all NBA chaos. All signs seemed to be pointing toward Los Angeles in some capacity. Despite being beloved in the entire country of Canada, bringing the Toronto Raptor’s first NBA championship, the truth is Leonard did not owe them anything. Both served their purpose for each other and that was enough for Kawhi. Now Leonard has balanced the competitive parity throughout the NBA with his decision to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, but not before pulling off one of the greatest heists in NBA history. As a prerequisite to becoming a Clipper, Leonard tasked Super executive Jerry West poaching two-way superstar and MVP candidate Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In pulling off this power move, Leonard not only made his own decision but shifted the competitive paradigm to Los Angeles without eroding the entire league.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George team up in LA with the Clippers. A move that makes them an instant force in the Western Conference.
Going to the Lakers would have been disastrous and probably would rank as one of if not, THE WORST thing to happen for the NBA for the foreseeable future. Many would say having the Los Angeles Lakers as a competitive and prosperous franchise is great for the NBA. This may be true, but if the Lakers have three top-seven players on their team, it would destroy all levels of competition. While we understand championships are never won on paper, the last three seasons have been a foregone conclusion while Kevin Durant was a member of the Golden State Warriors. Many considered their style of play “beautiful basketball.” Their assist percentage was through the roof. Their offensive rating broke records year in, year out and when they really wanted to, the Warriors could flip a switch, unlike any team we’ve seen in the history of the game. All of this was truly historic, but it came at a cost.
Kawhi denying the Lakers the opportunity to build a super team opens the parity again.
We never got to see Steph Curry at his apex againbecause of the sacrifices made to acquiesce to Kevin Durant’s otherworldly ability. Both stole from each other’s MVP candidacy despite prolific scoring and efficiency. Also, the perception of both as leaders of a team would always come into question because they both prove to be each other’s security blanket. The relative ease with which the Warriors ran through the league outside of Houston in 2018 didn’t push the boundaries of their prolific nature. Outside of injuries and attrition, The Warriors were on par to a fourth championship in five seasons before a “calf strain” sidelined Durant for the Western Conference Finals and most of the NBA Finals. The brilliance of the Warriors original big three: Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were on full display against the Portland Trailblazers; overwhelming them over the course a four-game sweep that should have gone the other way considering the Blazers had leads of 17 or more in three of the four games.
With Anthony Davis Locked in with the Los Angeles Lakers the rest of the league is scrambling to make something happen. Photo by Black & Yellow
What Kawhi and the Raptors showed the league is that the Warriors “Big 3” without Durant were vulnerable. Yes,they could win if playing at an optimal level, but they were not UNBEATABLE. Durant made them UNBEATABLE. Which isn’t good for competition. The depth the Raptors had forced the Warriors to tap into personnel that otherwise wouldn’t play. They presented Curry and Klay Thompson with defensive matchups that challenged them consistently and they forced Draymond Green into becoming more scoring oriented. All of this was made possible with Durant compromised and out of the lineup. All of this could have been plausible had Durant not been a Warrior in the first place. Can you imagine Durant on a different team pushing the Warriors for supremacy in the same vein of Harden and Chris Paul on the Rockets? Their road to three would have been made much tougher. Kawhi denying the Lakers the opportunity to build a super team opens the parity again. Sure, Oklahoma City is forced to blow their team up and trade off their assets, but their building a potentially prosperous future with multiple first round draft picks and are sure to haul in a substantial package for Russell Westbrook once he’s moved.
The Rockets moved Chris Paul and a bevy of first round picks and pick swaps for Westbrook. Another Dynamic Duo formed in the west. Photo by clutch points
There are at least six teams out west with quality dynamic duos who could make a quality run at a championship this season. Both teams in LA are the headline grabbers, but you still have Denver’s up in coming squad with Nikola Jokic and Jamaal Murray with a year of playoff experience under their belt and tremendous depth. The Utah Jazz made some big splashes as well, acquiring Mike Conley via trade, signing Bojan Bogdonavic and Jeff Green. All three of these moves improve spacing and depth while also alleviating some playmaking responsibilities off young standout Donovan Mitchell.
…the league is as wide open as it’s ever been, and it will be for the foreseeable future.
Did I forget to mention the Golden State Warriors? While the dynasty as we knew it is all but over in its most recent form that doesn’t mean the Warriors will roll over. Klay Thompson’s ACL injury throws a wrench in their immediate future, he’s all but expected to return to his peak performance. In the meantime, the Warriors completed a sign and trade with the Brooklyn Nets to acquire D’Angelo Russell, a player who had a breakout season in 2018-19, making his first career All-Star team and leading the Nets to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. Whether the Warriors decide to keep him long term remains to be seen, but the Warriors made sure to get something in return for Durant. Russell’s dual talents of playmaking and off the ball work could work with Curry and Green in the short term, if not just for keeping the season afloat while Klay recovers.
KD left the Golden State Warriors and teamed up with Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. Photo courtesy of
Losing Durant to a New York-based team seemed like a foregone conclusion for some time now, but the Dubs were determined to max out this championship window. Durant’s Achilles injury raised too many questions to be answered, especially when you consider what he had on the horizon, but he landed in an exceptional situation with Kyrie Irving out East. With Kawhi moving West once again, the East is wide open.
The Boston Celtics locked up Kemba Walker for the next 4 years with a deal worth $141 Million. Photo by NBA.com
The Milwaukee Bucks are still led by reigning Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounpo at the age of 24. The Bucks resigned Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez while losing Malcolm Brogdon the Pacers. The Philadelphia 76ers lost out on Jimmy Butler, but in a sign and trade with the Miami Heat acquired Josh Richardson, resigned Tobias Harris, and signed Al Horford, depleting the Boston Celtics. Boston lost two guards this offseason in Irving and Terry Rozier who signed with the Charlotte Hornets, but their hope is acquiring a player similar in Kemba Walker, without Irving’s temperament could bring the best out of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. All in all, the league is as wide open as it’s ever been, and it will be for the foreseeable future. Although there are prohibited favorites on paper, there are any guarantees of who will be in the finals, and fans can truly dream up different scenarios and matchups once again. All of this can be attributed to Kawhi Leonard’s decision… not only in going to the Clipper but in NOT GOING with Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Thank You Kawhi.