Kawhi signed with Clippers 'to help build a legacy'

Kawhi Leonard signed with the Los Angeles Clippers over the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors in free agency partly because of the opportunity to change the trajectory of the beleaguered organization.

"I just wanted to go to a franchise where I could try to help build a legacy," Leonard told Sam Schube of GQ Sports.

Leonard signed a three-year, $103-million contract in July 2019 with the Clippers, just one month after winning his second Finals MVP and leading the Raptors to their maiden NBA title.

The deal was agreed upon after the Clippers acquired Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a massive package that included future MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, four future unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-rounder, and two pick swaps.

Leonard has remained highly productive in Los Angeles, averaging 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.6 steals over four seasons. However, he's struggled to stay healthy throughout his tenure, making no more than 68 regular-season appearances in one campaign.

The Clippers finally made their first Western Conference finals in 51 years during the 2020-21 campaign, but Leonard was sidelined since Game 4 of the second round when he sustained a partial ACL tear. The same injury kept him out for the entire 2021-22 season.

Los Angeles inked Leonard to a three-year, $153-million extension last January amid one of the healthiest seasons of his career. Despite that, he suffered another knee injury just two games into the playoffs and didn't make another appearance as the Clippers fell in the opening round to the Dallas Mavericks.

Leonard was held out of the Paris Olympics after joining Team USA's training camp. He didn't suit up during the preseason and is reportedly sidelined indefinitely due to inflammation in his right knee.