LA Sports Hub
Fansided

Los Angeles Clippers could create epic LA rivalry this summer

By Jason Reed

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Clippers’ biggest priority this summer is adding a max superstar, likely Kawhi Leonard, to instantly contend for the NBA Championship.

The Los Angeles Clippers have been geared for this free agency period for quite some time now and for every single Clipper fan, this might be the most exciting period in team history. While the Clippers had some great teams in the Lob City era, the team is actually a frontrunner for some marquee stars, which rarely happens.

Most notably, the Los Angeles Clippers have been the favorites to sign Kawhi Leonard for quite some time. Although recent reports have connected Leonard to other teams, the Clippers still have everything that Leonard could want.

Not only are they Southern California-based to tie in with Leonard’s So-Cal roots but they also have a promising roster with future assets that could be moved. Not only that, but the team can realistically shed enough cap space by trading Danilo Gallinari to bring in a second max superstar.

More from LA Sports Hub

That is perfect for Leonard, who has been tied to two other stars recently to create the NBA’s newest super team. There are talks of Leonard and Kevin Durant looking to team up either on the Clippers or New York Knicks as well as interest in playing alongside Jimmy Butler in LA.

Those two possibilities present the opportunity to create a truly special basketball rivalry in Los Angeles that would be unlike the NBA has seen. This would be the first same-city, same-market, high-stakes rivarly that is legitimately for the NBA Championship.

The Los Angeles Lakers have contended for a ton of NBA Championships but fell off the table when the Clippers were at their best during the Lob City era. Although there might be a bit of a rivalry between the fanbases, there really has not been much of an on-court rivalry between the two teams.

There are only six years in history in which the two teams both made the NBA Playoffs and the two LA teams have never squared off in those seven matching playoff berths.

By getting Leonard and a second star, the Los Angeles Clippers would be right up on the Lakers’ level, who are arguably on their own level entirely with the NBA being wide open heading into next year.

There is a very good chance that the two best teams in the league are in the same city and if Durant joins Leonard in LA then four of the best six players in the league will all be in Los Angeles.

That is a version of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry on steroids that is not only is the same conference but in the same division and the same area code.

As a site that covers all LA sports, this is an extremely exciting outcome. This would be more intense than the freeway series, the subway series and El Tráfico.

This is the Boston Red Sox vs. the New York Yankees when both teams were the best in the American League in the early 2000s. This is Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona battling for most of the 2010s with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

This is something that could lead to LA winning the next several titles, split up between both teams.

dark. Next. Beverley not worth asking price

This could open the door to one of the greatest rivalries not only in basketball but in sports history. I know the Los Angeles Clippers’ front office is just concerned about its own team right now, but man, could this get exciting.

Home/Los Angeles Clippers