Clippers executive Jerry West tells TMZ Sports he's getting wayyyyy too much credit for bringing Kawhi Leonard to L.A. ... saying straight up, "I didn't close this deal, okay?!"
People have pointed to the 81-year-old Hall of Famer as the secret weapon who ultimately convinced the NBA Finals MVP to leave Toronto for Los Angeles.
But, outside of E Baldi in Beverly Hills, West explained why he's not comfortable being hailed as the hero.
"This was hard work by our front office," West said ... "Lawrence Frank, Michael Winger. All the people associated with it."
West says he's very excited for the 2019-20 season and says with the Lakers signing Anthony Davis to play with LeBron, basketball "should really be fun for fans" in L.A.
And, even though the Clippers have a sick roster -- with Kawhi, Paul George, Patrick Beverly and more ... West says he's not thinking about a championship yet.
"I don't think we're worried about championships yet ... worried about getting through the season and seeing how we play."
Fair enough.