Lakers Almost Landed a 2-Time NBA Champion in 2019 — And LeBron James Might Be the Reason It Fell Apart!

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in the spotlight as they gear up for the 2025-26 NBA season, a campaign many believe could see them once again contend for the Western Conference title. After finishing third in the West last season and pulling off a blockbuster trade to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Anthony Davis, expectations for the Lakers are sky-high.

Yet, despite assembling one of the league’s most promising rosters, the Lakers were stunned in the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Now, with Doncic and LeBron James leading the charge, Los Angeles is determined to make another run at the NBA Championship.

But a recent revelation might make Lakers fans rethink the team’s past decisions—and how differently history could have unfolded.

LeBron James: The Unseen Factor Behind Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 Decision

According to reports, LeBron James played a crucial role in Kawhi Leonard’s decision to avoid signing with the Lakers during the 2019 offseason. Despite the Lakers being heavily linked to Leonard due to his ties to Los Angeles, Leonard reportedly did not want to play alongside LeBron James, choosing instead to join the Los Angeles Clippers.

This revelation has sent shockwaves through the NBA community. Imagine a Lakers roster with LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard together—could the team have been an unstoppable force? Or would it have derailed other moves, such as the trade for Anthony Davis, which ultimately led to the Lakers’ 2020 NBA title?

The Lakers’ 2019 Offseason: A Turning Point

In 2019, the Lakers were positioned to make a bold move. With LeBron James already in Los Angeles, acquiring Kawhi Leonard would have formed a dream duo, potentially altering the trajectory of the NBA.

However, Leonard’s preference for a different path changed everything. Instead of joining the Lakers, Leonard signed with the Clippers, fulfilling his wish to play alongside Paul George. While injuries later affected the Leonard-George duo in Los Angeles, the initial shock of Leonard bypassing the Lakers is still one of the most discussed NBA offseason stories in recent memory.

Had Leonard joined LeBron in 2019, the Lakers’ decision to pursue Anthony Davis might have been impacted. Some speculate that the 2020 championship may have never happened if the Lakers had been chasing the perfect superstar pairing instead of executing the Davis trade.

What If: LeBron and Leonard Together in L.A.?

NBA fans can only speculate about the what-ifs. Would a LeBron-Léonard pairing have dominated the league? Or could it have caused tension in the locker room? History shows that sometimes, what appears as a missed opportunity may actually lead to better outcomes.

The Lakers’ eventual trade for Anthony Davis set the stage for their 2020 championship run, a feat that may not have been possible with Leonard’s presence altering the team’s strategy. The scenario raises countless questions: Would the Lakers have pursued Luka Doncic last season? Would the team’s chemistry have been as strong with two dominant stars at the helm?

Lakers’ Present and Future: Learning from the Past

Now in 2025, the Lakers have constructed a roster that blends veteran leadership with superstar talent. LeBron James remains a key figure, guiding Luka Doncic as the team chases the elusive Western Conference crown.

While the team moves forward, the shadow of the 2019 offseason lingers. Fans are left pondering what might have been: a Lakers dynasty led by LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard, or the actual path that delivered a championship in 2020 and now a promising duo of LeBron and Doncic.

The Drama Behind NBA Superstars’ Decisions

Leonard’s decision not to join the Lakers highlights a fascinating aspect of NBA roster-building: superstar preferences can shape a team’s destiny. LeBron James, often viewed as the ultimate team leader, may have inadvertently steered Leonard away. Yet, this twist of fate arguably worked in the Lakers’ favor, setting the franchise up for both immediate and long-term success.

The Lakers’ history is full of such dramatic decisions, from trades to free-agent signings. But the 2019 offseason remains a case study in how a single player’s choice—Leonard’s refusal to play with LeBron—can reshape the future of a franchise.

Why This Matters for Lakers Fans Today

For Lakers fans, the lesson is clear: even superstar-driven setbacks can lead to championship glory. While some might lament the missed opportunity with Leonard, others can celebrate how the Lakers maximized the situation, ultimately securing Anthony Davis and later Luka Doncic.

The 2025-26 season promises to be another chapter in this ongoing saga. With LeBron James still in peak form, the Lakers are poised to chase another NBA title, proving that past controversies and missed opportunities do not define the franchise—they shape it.

Conclusion: LeBron’s Influence, Leonard’s Choice, and the Lakers’ Legacy

The Lakers’ story is a testament to the complexity of NBA superstars’ influence. LeBron James, despite being one of the greatest players of all time, may have unintentionally altered the course of the franchise by influencing Kawhi Leonard’s decision. Yet, the twist of fate allowed the Lakers to achieve a 2020 championship and maintain relevance in the modern NBA landscape.

As fans look toward the 2025-26 season, questions linger: Could the Lakers have been even more dominant with Leonard in 2019? Or did destiny favor the current path with LeBron and Doncic? One thing is certain—the drama surrounding superstar decisions, trades, and team-building will continue to captivate NBA fans worldwide.

LeBron James, the Lakers, and the 2019 offseason: a story full of missed opportunities, shocking twists, and the enduring magic of NBA history.