Kawhi Leonard conundrum: Evaluating his value for the Los Angeles Clippers
By Thomas Fenn
As the rift between the San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard continue to widen the Los Angeles Clippers have shown interest in a possible trade.
Kawhi Leonard hasn’t suited up for a game for San Antonio since being diagnosed with a re-aggravated quadriceps injury in the regular season. The former defensive player of the year has only played nine games this season due to injury concerns. Leonard averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists during that span.
With Leonard ruled out for the rest of the post season as per Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports. The relationship between both the Spurs and Leonard’s group have soured and his return to the team following this year looks improbable at this point in time.
Clippers Pursuit
As reported by Sam Amick of USA Today the Clippers are in the market for a superstar and look to be in play for Leonard. The Los Angeles Clippers finished the regular season with a 42-40 record. The team missed the post season for the first time since 2010-2011 season.
A superstar of Leonard’s caliber would help propel the team into championship contention . Leonard would fit well with the young cast that we saw traverse through the first non Blake Griffin season for the Clippers.
The Clippers have assets being two first round picks in the 2018 NBA draft along with young players that could be part of a potential trade package.
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Leonard would add immediate impact to the team bringing in major impact defensively as well as being a more than capable offensive threat.
Leonard is a former NBA finals MVP winning his lone NBA championship with San Antonio in the 2013-2014 season. At age 26 Leonard would be a great addition to the younger new look Clipper roster. However, this is all speculation till either the San Antonio spurs make Leonard available via trade or Leonard opts out through his player option following the 2018-2019 season.
This interest sparked by the Clippers front office goes to show that the Clippers are interested in contending as soon as possible. Whether its Leonard or Paul George Clipper fans hope that the team makes the right decision for its future.