Kawhi Leonard is anticipated to remain the top player for the LA Clippers three years from now

Given that the Los Angeles Clippers don’t have any young players who scream “future star,” it’s fair to assume that their top player in three years will still be Kawhi Leonard. Although “The Claw’s” game is likely to age gracefully, given his reliance on savvy post moves and midrange jumpers instead of reckless drives to the basket, this prediction will still hinge on how his body will hold up in the next three years.

Injury issues are no secret

Kawhi is already considered one of the NBA’s all-time greats. With two NBA titles, two NBA Finals MVP trophies, and two Defensive Player of the Year awards, Kawhi has established himself as an elite player in the league. However, his lengthy history of injuries cannot be ignored.

From his days in San Antonio to his short but successful stint in Toronto, Kawhi has dealt with various injuries that have caused him to miss significant playing time. In fact, he failed to play in the Clippers’ last three playoff games because of a knee injury that he suffered late in the regular season.

“Leonard's injury history is well-documented. And in 2027, when he's 36 years old, it's hard to imagine the concerns that come with history being any less pronounced,” Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey wrote in a piece that predicted who the best players for each team will be in 2027.

“The Los Angeles Clippers also don't have much young talent rearing to replace Kawhi atop the team. And if Leonard develops a bit as a creator and distributor as he ages into this last phase of his career, he might stave off his decline a bit. His athleticism and defensive prowess won't be as impressive at this point in the future, but the mid-range jumper and offensive craft should still have him in the star tier,” Andy continued.

Ivica Zubac could become a star

Another Clippers player who could elevate his game and contend for the mantle of the best player on the team is Ivica Zubac. The 27-year-old center has already shown flashes of potential, averaging career highs in points and field goal percentage last season.

While he may not seem an obvious choice for future stardom, Zubac’s size and defensive acumen give him a unique advantage on the court. He has also shown improvement year after year since being traded to the Clippers from the Lakers in 2019.

With his youth and room for growth, it’s not hard to imagine Zubac becoming a dominant force in the league by 2027. And with Kawhi likely entering the latter stages of his career at that point, Zubac could step up as the team's new leader.

Related: When Kawhi Leonard debunked the 'load management' criticism