Because Lebron is not young and their window to win is not very long. Can't just waste a year of building chemistry.
If they were to trade for him, he’d be in LA, plus a chance for a bigger payday... But he’s getting to pick his team. Clippers are going to be a bad team, highly doubt they have a chance.
Reports said he's not exactly enamored with playing with LeBron. Also the Lakers could likely be locked up at the 2-3-4 with Ingram-LeBron-Kuzma(though you could replace him with Kawhi). Clippers will also have a ton of cap space it looks like within the next 2 offseasons so they can really build up around Kawhi and their young backcourt they drafted this year.
i've been to toronto and i hated it. cold as F, dated infrastructure, clueless people. probably better than SA though