Details surrounding Kawhi Leonard’s demands during the 2019 free agency have resurfaced, raising eyebrows regarding the former NBA champion’s expectations. A recent report by ESPN outlines a series of unusual requests made by Leonard and his camp when he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The summer of 2019 was a pivotal time in the NBA, featuring significant player movement as stars like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant made high-profile moves, while Leonard joined forces with Paul George in Los Angeles. This period was marked by intense negotiations, as teams scrambled to secure top talent. Leonard, fresh off leading the Toronto Raptors to their first championship, had considerable leverage in discussions.
Clippers executives faced mounting pressure as they sought to finalize Leonard’s commitment. On July 5, 2019, just days after meeting with him, they convened to strategize, fearing he might choose the LA Lakers instead. At this point, the Clippers had already initiated a trade for George, which involved giving up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks, and two first-round pick swaps.
Leonard’s camp, led by his uncle Dennis Robertson, presented a list of demands that reportedly included part ownership of the team, a house, a guarantee of endorsement earnings, and even a private plane. While these requests fell outside the league’s collective bargaining agreement and were ultimately rejected by the Clippers, several other conditions were accepted.
Among the more notable agreements was Leonard’s desire to live in San Diego and commute via helicopter for games and practices. The Clippers acquiesced to this request, recognizing the star’s unique lifestyle requirements. Additionally, Leonard sought to skip certain media obligations and team community events, conditions that the Clippers also accepted.
The agreement extended to marketing Leonard as an individual and allowing him to bring his own personnel into the organization. Perhaps most critically, Robertson stipulated that the team needed to maintain strict protocols regarding public communications about Leonard, emphasizing a policy of minimal commentary unless absolutely necessary.
Interestingly, reports indicate that similar demands were made to both the Lakers and the Raptors during Leonard’s free agency period. A team source from the Clippers has disputed some of the claims, particularly concerning the tone of the requests. Despite the varying accounts, these revelations add complexity to public perceptions of Leonard, especially amid ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his signing with the Clippers.
As the NBA continues to probe into the Steve Ballmer-Kawhi Leonard situation, these insights into Leonard’s expectations during a critical time in his career pose questions about the nature of player negotiations and the influence of star athletes in shaping team policies.
