Magic Johnson reveals Kawhi Leonard almost joining LA Lakers: “Nobody knew Anthony Davis was going to be available for trade”

All-time LA Lakers great Magic Johnson, who was part of the team's front office for a few seasons, added Anthony Davis in 2019, but he said he was close to acquiring Kawhi Leonard. In a recent interview during a "Showtime Basketball" episode, Magic explained how everything went down.

Johnson was the one who had LeBron James ready to come to Los Angeles from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018. Landing James and Davis resulted in Los Angeles winning a championship in 2020. Because of what he was able to do, the Lakers now have another title under their belt.

"We were well over the salary cap, so I had to get us up under the salary cap by trading a couple of guys," Johnson said. "And so, I know when I had that meeting with him and Rich Paul (LeBron James' agent), I knew what he wanted, right?

"I knew he wanted to win, No. 1. But No. 2, I knew in Los Angeles he could live and he could live free and drive around and live a life that he wanted to live that he couldn't live in Cleveland or Miami, because everyones on top of him. And I think because we have so many celebrities here, he could fit right in."

Magic Johnson at the 92nd MLB All-Star Game

However, what some people don't realize, is that he was also going after Kawhi Leonard and believed that he had a real opportunity of getting him.

"I'm going to go after, at that time, I thought it was going to be Kawhi, because he was the next free agent the next year (2019)," Johnson said. "Nobody knew that Anthony Davis was going to be available for a trade, so I said I'm going to get you and then get Kawhi."

Magic Johnson adding Kawhi Leonard to Lakers

When former NBA player Matt Barnes asked Magic Johnson how close he was to landing Kawhi, Magic said:

"Oh, I would've had Kawhi. When I come in to close a deal, it's done. I do my homework, my research. When I get you in that room, I already know what you want."

It seems as if Magic Johnson was still in the Lakers' front office at the time Kawhi Leonard could've possibly been a member of the LA Lakers. After winning the 2019 championship for the Toronto Raptors, Leonard signed as a free agent with the LA Clippers.

This is yet again another shortcoming in the past few years for the Lakers.