Kawhi Leonard Nearly Pulled The Trigger The League Was Seconds From Collapse

In a sport where every second counts and every decision can reshape a franchise, Kawhi Leonard just dropped a truth bomb that’s rattling the entire basketball world. “I was very close,” he said — a calm, casual statement that’s anything but.

That single line — delivered with Kawhi’s signature stoicism — has opened up a black hole of what-ifs, almosts, and nearlys that’s devouring NBA Twitter, Lakers Nation, and Clippers fans alike. Because in 2019, Kawhi Leonard — the two-time Finals MVP, the silent killer, the man who dethroned a dynasty in Toronto — came dangerously close to wearing purple and gold.

Let that sink in.

He almost teamed up with LeBron James. He nearly formed a trio with Anthony Davis. He was this close to triggering a superteam so lethal, it would’ve sent shockwaves through the league for years to come.

Kawhi’s Calm Confession Is Anything But Small

In a new interview that feels more like a documentary reveal than a typical press sit-down, Kawhi opened up about that fateful summer.

“People think I wasn’t going to go [to the Lakers],” he said.
“I was very close. Very, very close.”

No hesitation. No backpedaling. Just facts.

For years, fans speculated. NBA insiders hinted. Leaks and rumors floated. But this is the first time Kawhi himself confirmed it — and now it’s not just speculation. It’s history rewritten.

And for the Los Angeles Lakers, it’s a reality that almost happened.

A Superteam That Never Was

The summer of 2019 was a frenzy. The Raptors had just won the NBA championship, thanks in large part to Kawhi’s game-winning shot, his defense, his dominance. He was the most sought-after free agent on the market.

The Lakers had just landed Anthony Davis and still had cap space for a third star. They had a pitch. They had the allure. They had LeBron waiting on the other end of the phone.

And then… Kawhi chose the Clippers.

But now, with Kawhi admitting he nearly made the leap across the hallway at Crypto.com Arena, the alternative timeline suddenly feels more real — and more haunting — than ever.

Just imagine:

LeBron + AD + Kawhi on the same floor.

Three elite two-way players.

A defense-first superteam with championship DNA.

A dynasty in the making.

The league wouldn’t have survived.

Why He Didn’t Choose The Lakers

So why didn’t it happen?

According to insiders, Kawhi’s decision was based on a combination of factors — team structure, timing, long-term trust, and the chance to carve his own path.

He didn’t want to “ride coattails.” He wanted to build.

In his own words: “I wanted to do something on my own. I wanted to go somewhere where I could help create something.”

So instead of joining LeBron and AD, he pulled Paul George from OKC and signed with the Clippers — in what at the time felt like the boldest move of the offseason.

But now, with the Clippers still ringless and the Lakers winning the 2020 title, the contrast couldn’t be more brutal.

Lakers Fans Are Losing It

The reaction from Lakers Nation has been nothing short of emotional chaos. Twitter, Reddit, YouTube comment sections — all exploding with rage, memes, and existential dread.

“We were ONE MEETING away from a dynasty.”
“LeBron, AD, and Kawhi? We’d have 3 rings by now.”
“He betrayed LA. Plain and simple.”

For many, the fact that Kawhi was “very close” isn’t comforting — it’s infuriating. Because now, they know it was real. And they know it slipped away.

NBA Twitter Reacts Like It’s 2019 All Over Again

Social media is doing what it does best: spiraling into a frenzy of “what-if” scenarios, dramatic memes, and conspiracy theories.

“The NBA rigged Kawhi to the Clippers.”

“Kawhi didn’t want to be second fiddle.”

“Rich Paul got in his head.”

“LeBron was too intimidating.”

Everyone has a theory. Everyone wants to rewrite the past. But one thing is clear — this confession hits different.

How Close Was It, Really?

Insiders now say that the Lakers believed they had him. They were so confident, they paused other deals, held off signings, and essentially waited on Kawhi’s decision — leaving them scrambling when he chose the Clippers.

One source claimed: “We thought it was done. He ghosted us in the last 48 hours.”

If true, Kawhi didn’t just consider the Lakers. He led them on. Strategically? Maybe. Personally? Who knows.

But either way — the impact was seismic.

The Ripple Effect on the Entire League

Had Kawhi joined the Lakers in 2019, here’s what might’ve never happened:

The Clippers wouldn’t be contenders.

Ty Lue might not be their coach.

Paul George wouldn’t be in LA.

Denver, Phoenix, Dallas — their paths to contention would be blocked.

The Bubble Championship might’ve become a full-blown 70-win Lakers season.

Kawhi’s choice altered the course of every major team in the Western Conference. All because of one decision. Or in this case… one non-decision.

Clippers Fans Defend Their Star

While Lakers fans rage, Clippers fans are circling the wagons.

“He chose US. He built THIS team.”
“We don’t need LeBron’s leftovers.”
“Lakers are Hollywood. We’re blue-collar.”

They’re clinging to identity. To the idea that Kawhi’s path was about independence, not betrayal. That he didn’t just avoid the Lakers — he rejected the noise.

But even they can’t deny: If Kawhi had picked differently, Clippers history would’ve never started.

What This Says About Kawhi’s Legacy

For years, Kawhi Leonard was the mystery man of the NBA. Rarely interviewed. Never loud. No drama. Just work.

But this confession?

It adds a layer of drama to his story that’s never been there before. It shows us how close he came to reshaping not just a team — but an entire era.

It proves:

Kawhi doesn’t just play the game.

He’s been quietly controlling it.

Final Word: The League Got Lucky. Or Did It?

If Kawhi Leonard had joined the Lakers in 2019, it’s likely the NBA would’ve entered a full-blown competitive freeze. Championships might’ve felt scripted. Outcomes, inevitable.

Instead, we got unpredictability. Parity. Chaos.

And maybe… that’s better for basketball.

But as Kawhi quietly drops a bombshell years later, fans are left staring into the abyss of what could’ve been.

“I was very close.”

Seven years from now, we may still be whispering those words.

Because in the NBA, sometimes the almosts hurt more than the losses.