Getty LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers hugs Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers after the 130-125 overtime win at Crypto.com Arena. Kawhi Leonard ’s decision in 2019 to spurn the Los Angeles Lakers for their crosstown rivals, the Clippers , had little to do with money. Instead, it came down to one person: LeBron James . According to Bruce Arthur of the Toronto Star , Leonard “didn’t want to play with LeBron James, so the Lakers were a third wheel in the sweepstakes.” At the time,