The Los Angeles Clippers have been through a whirlwind in the last half-decade. Since the infamous 2019 trade, the team has been overflowing with NBA superstar-level talents.
Whether it be the incoming Kawhi Leonard and Paul George or the later additions of Russell Westbrook and James Harden, the team’s outlook underwent a significant overhaul in one offseason.
Paul George is officially signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Westbrook is most likely out. It looks like the onus is now on Harden and Kawhi. However, that pairing brings its own set of challenges. Leonard hasn’t had a healthy season since the Bubble, and James’ shortcomings in the playoffs are infamous as is.
With George, the team had a safety valve in the non-Kawhi games. However, with his departure, the question of their future falls to Leonard and team management. While the two-time NBA champion was ready to suit up for Team USA, he eventually bowed out, citing knee injury concerns. As a result, questions about the Clippers going into next season continue to increase.
Given Leonard’s injury late last season, the team might want to be cautious. However, without a second star to rely on alongside James, the team’s competitiveness could be questioned.
Could load management be back on the table for Kawhi Leonard?
In 2023-24, Leonard had one of his most active seasons in the league. Whether back-to-backs or general availability, Kawhi was often in a jersey.
However, towards the end of the season, his body broke down, and he spent the majority of the time, including the playoffs, on the shelf. With no guaranteed backup option, Steve Balmer and the Clippers’ front office could return to a load management-heavy model for the often-injury-ridden superstar.
However, Leonard believes his journey has paid dividends and is ready to continue until he can no longer. Speaking about his injury history, Klaw was as candid as they come, explaining how the doubt from outside has motivated him.
“Yeah, but this is just my journey, so whatever,” Leonard said. “I can’t lay out the perfect script for me. Last year, I tried to play as much as possible, felt great. And at a certain period of time, I couldn’t go. I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. I don’t want to be in a situation that I do be in, but I got to take it for what it is. And a lot of people are watching, supporters or doubters, but I motivate a lot of people.
“So, I got to keep doing what I’m doing, and I might be the most known at the time right now, like injury or whatever, but people have, players have worse luck than I have,” Leonard explained. “So just to being able to keep going and keep going is going to motivate the next guy that’s watching me. So, I’m going to keep going until I can’t.”
The new-look Clippers need Kawhi more than ever
Since losing out on George, LA has been quick to pivot. In Derrick Jones Jr., they have a comparable perimeter defender coming off a career year for the Dallas Mavericks. In addition, the team quickly extended James Harden, giving them regular-season security at the very least.
While the addition of Kevin Porter Jr. was controversial for all the wrong reasons, his ability to help a team is undeniable. Similarly, while in the twilight of his career, Nicolas Batum has been a critical contributor in LA for multiple seasons. Bringing him back should shore up the wing depth while giving the team a veteran leader.
But beyond Harden, the team lacks true star power. Even though the team is filled with talented role players, the lack of superstars might hurt them. So, even though the best-case scenario might be for Kawhi to re-partake in load management, the season and brutality of the Western Conference might not allow the Clippers that luxury.
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