Editor’s Note: This story was included in The Athletic’s Best of 2019. See the full list.



Five minutes.



After all the ugly headlines from the Donald Sterling saga in April 2014 to Steve Ballmer’s $2 billion buy-in to all the calculated roster risks, the fate of the L.A. Clippers suddenly hinged on five take-your-breath-away minutes.



As the Clippers saw it, they were ready to prove themselves worthy of Kawhi Leonard’s trust, ready to make a move to honor his No. 1 priority: winning.



Trust has been central to Leonard his entire NBA career. His sour ending in San Antonio was the result of trust having eroded, and his sweet Toronto experience helped to rebuild his willingness to trust again.



Leonard showed with the Raptors that he could lead the way on a title team without a fellow top-10 player, but how wise would that approach be if the 28-year-old wanted to continue producing at an elite level for as long as...