Kawhi Leonard states that the LA Clippers are prioritizing his health, while James Harden encourages him to take the necessary time for recovery

The status of LA Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard remains in the air after he reportedly underwent a knee procedure in the offseason to alleviate the knee trouble that prevented him from finishing the team's postseason campaign last season. Even though team officials led by President Lawrence Frank have expressed optimism that Leonard will be good to go this season, Kawhi says they will continue to be cautious with his health and ensure he is fully ready before returning to the court.

One day at a time

When healthy, "The Claw" is one of the league's most unique and lethal players. On the offensive end, the two-time NBA Finals MVP is capable of draining bucket after bucket, thanks to his ever-reliable midrange jumper and powerful post moves. Conversely, the former Defensive Player of the Year is known for his lockdown defense and ability to shut down some of the league's best players.

However, injuries have been a major obstacle in Leonard's career. He has missed significant time due to various ailments, including an ACL tear in 2021 that caused him to miss the entire 2021-2022 season. Last season, Kawhi was on track to play the most games since the 2016-2017 season but experienced knee swelling that caused him to miss the last eight games of the regular season.

With the new season looming, the 6-foot-8 forward said he and the team's medical staff are cautiously ensuring he's healthy, especially during the critical parts of the season.

"Taking it day by day. Everything has been going great for the past month. But I have been very cautious for reasons in the past. I haven't been able to finish some playoff runs. So, I'm making sure I stay healthy for those important moments," Kawhi said during the team's media day.

"We want to make sure we cut things back. We did things leading up to that point; I was doing everything. And then we took a step back and wanted to make sure I'm ready for the season and just be able to last in those important moments for myself, fans, and Clippers," the two-time champ added.

Harden thinks Kawhi should bide his time

Leonard's co-star, James Harden, has been working hard this offseason to prepare his body and sharpen his skills to hold the fort until Kawhi is back at full strength. Harden says that while the regular season plays a huge role in where they stand in the postseason wars, its team's success must lean around when the stakes are highest.

" I think we need Kawhi to be healthy later in the year. So, whenever he's ready, I'm not sure how much conditioning he's been doing or what things he's been doing. He can take his time and join in whenever he's ready or available ," The Beard commented.

Related: The Klaw looks forward to kick-off the season at Intuit Dome