LOS ANGELES (KGTV) -- According to multiple media reports and NBA insiders, one of the summer's most coveted free agents Kawhi Leonard will be joining the Los Angeles Clippers.
Friday's news ends days of KawhiWatch, a media and fan frenzy that included a helicopter chase and people camping outside hotels hoping to persuade the 2019 NBA Finals MVP to stay with the Toronto Raptors, or join either the Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers.
Leonard's camp has not released an official announcement nor made any comments on the reports as of Friday night.
The former San Diego State University star will be joining a young and exciting Clippers team that won two games against the top-seeded Golden State Warriors in the first round of this year's Western Conference playoffs. The Leonard signing now makes the Clippers a top contender for the 2019-2020 NBA title.
The Lakers were the heavy favorites in the Kawhi Sweepstakes. The Lakers dealt away a youthful core of assets to the New Orleans Pelicans for power forward All-Star Anthony Davis in hopes of landing the league's baller trifecta of LeBron James, Davis, and Leonard -- AKA the Big 3.
Leonard, a 6'7" small forward who grew up in Los Angeles and played at SDSU for two seasons, will join All-Star forward Paul George, who was reportedly acquired via a trade with Oklahoma City, also on Friday night.
The 28-year-old Leonard is expected to sign a four-year, $142 million maximum contract, according to ESPN Senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
A Friday night @wojespn bomb this lifelong @LAClippers fan never thought he'd see! Kawhi and Paul George. Is it #NBA season yet?
— Jeff Lasky (@10NewsLasky) July 6, 2019
GEORGE TO CLIPS
Wojnarowski reports that the "Clippers are sending the Thunder four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick and two pick swaps, league sources tell ESPN. Those picks go to OKC with Gallinari and SGA."
