One of the biggest and most recognizable NBA teams in the league is the Los Angeles Lakers. They have a long history of NBA Championship victories. Considering that they have won a combined 17 NBA championships, they are tied with the Boston Celtics. But what formula for success accounts for the Lakers’ success?

Well, the Los Angeles Lakers have always preferred to get big-name superstars in free agency and build a roster around them. Even when we take a look at the Lakers’ all-time GOAT pyramid, several superstars have joined Purple and Gold in free agency. Similar is the case with their current cornerstone player, LeBron James.

The Lakers have currently paired James with Anthony Davis. But franchise legend and former executive of the Lakers, Magic Johnson, recently revealed that he had a plan to pair James with none other than Kawhi Leonard in 2019.

LeBron James And Kawhi Leonard’s Duo Could Have Won Several NBA Titles For The Lakers

While Magic may have wanted Kawhi Leonard to join the Lakers, the Klaw ended up joining the noisy neighbors of the Purple and Gold.

Magic wanted to pair LeBron and Kawhi in LA 🤯

Full episode drops 1/12. 💨 pic.twitter.com/wzAiYkIVI1

— SHOWTIME Basketball (@shobasketball) January 5, 2023

I said, “These are the moves I’m going to make after I sign you.” At that time I thought it was going to be Kawhi, cause he was the next free agent the next year. Nobody knew Anthony Davis was going to be available next year.

I would have had Kawhi. When I come into close a deal, it’s done. I do my homework and my research.

Although the Lakers ended up winning one NBA title with the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, here’s what fans think would have happened had Kawhi joined the Lakers.

Damn… Magic is the original 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ue4C8qgfHn

— Suki (@TheRealSuki) January 6, 2023

1 Kawhi didn’t want to be part of Lebron Taking all the credit.
2 Lakers lucky he chose Clippers cuz he’s been a bust in LA.

— Lekhs (@iLEx_006) January 6, 2023

But Magic went on Sportscenter the day after he talked with Kawhi in 2019 and that scared him and his family off

— Neely (@CloudNeely) January 6, 2023

So does this kill the rumors that Lebron picks and chooses his teammates and “bullies” the GMs to do what he wants?

— Rahi2i (@The_Nah1991) January 6, 2023

Please don’t do this to us rn Magic tell us after he retires☹️

— EJ Freeman 🇱🇷 (@EJFreeman7) January 6, 2023

What could’ve been man https://t.co/o1qODmF2Hr

— CHA$ER 🥷 (@iamcdjxiv) January 6, 2023

It worked out. Ad was a better choice. Kawhi has played way less games than AD though media makes it seem the other way around . https://t.co/RjBclpd2QW

— 🖕🏾🙃 (@Crown_Me_Kingx) January 6, 2023

While the idea seems pretty good on paper, fans ultimately think that the Lakers dodged a bullet. After all, since joining the Clippers, Kawhi has missed a lot of games and hasn’t been available for the team when it mattered the most. Anyway, the idea of seeing LeBron and Kawhi still sounds like a dream, and Magic could have potentially made it true.

Source: https://fadeawayworld.net