Section 215
Fansided

Kawhi Leonard joining Clippers means 76ers have best starting five in Eastern Conference

By Dan Parzych

TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends during Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers defends during Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Now that Kawhi Leonard is officially heading to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Philadelphia 76ers appear to have the best starting five in the Eastern Conference.

This past week, there was plenty of talk surrounding the Philadelphia 76ers, and whether the team had put together the best starting five in the Eastern Conference, although everyone knew a decision by Kawhi Leonard could quickly change it all.

While most players wasted little time making their decision in free agency last weekend, Leonard was taking a little bit of extra time while trying to decide between the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers.

Despite pulling off one of the most exciting runs in NBA Finals history this past season after leading the Raptors to their first title in franchise history, basketball fans knew all along Leonard’s first year in Toronto could very well end up being his only one.

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Normally, a return to a team like the Raptors to make another run at a title would seem like a no brainer for a player in Leonard.

But with Los Angeles always being a popular destination since that’s where Leonard was born, it was easy to understand why the Lakers and Clippers were such a threat for the Raptors to sign the Finals MVP.

After the Fourth of July officially passed, it seemed like only a matter of time before Leonard finally reached a decision with his plans, the basketball world was thrown a curveball late Friday night when it was announced that he would be joining the Clippers.

And if that news wasn’t crazy enough, the Clippers took things to a whole new level by announcing their plans to acquire Paul George in a trade as well from the Oklahoma City Thunder, making Los Angeles a serious contender in the Western Conference all of a sudden.

Basketball fans always knew Leonard to the Clippers was a strong possibility to happen, but no one saw the move for George coming at all.

Shortly after the news broke, it was revealed that one of the main factors behind Leonard’s decision to join the Clippers was whether George would be able to come on board as well.

Rightfully so, one can only imagine how crushed Raptors fans are feeling to see Leonard leave the squad after only one season, but as far as the Sixers are concerned, this is exactly the news they wanted to hear.

As previously mentioned, thanks to Philadelphia bringing on Al Horford and Josh Richardson to play alongside other key players in Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris, the Sixers were making a strong case over having the best starting lineup in the East.

Now that Leonard is officially out of the conference, it’s safe to say Philadelphia deserves to have the honors heading into the 2019-20 season, although they still have a long way to go since other teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics certainly won’t make things easy.

Still, after watching the Sixers come up short the way they did in each of the last two seasons, it’s great to see how Leonard’s decision to join the Clippers could benefit Philadelphia in a big way moving forward.