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LA Clippers: Three Things To Sell Kawhi Leonard On

By Ryan Snellings

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 3: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a call against the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Clippers 121-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 3: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a call against the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 3, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Clippers 121-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 9: Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors addresses the media during practice and media availability as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 9, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 9: Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors addresses the media during practice and media availability as part of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 9, 2019 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Youthfulness

Arguably the biggest selling point the LA Clippers have is their ability to stay young compared to the Raptors.

The Clippers have a trove of young players who can be around long-term should Kawhi stay. Two of them, Landry Shamet and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, were just nominated as members of the All-NBA Rookie Second Team.

There’s also Jerome Robinson who has shown some sixth man potential, Sindarius Thornwell who can provide strong defense and Ivica Zubac (who is a restricted free agent this summer) who could bloom into a starting caliber center.

There’s also Montrezl Harrell, who isn’t locked down long-term, but is still just 25-years-old and just came in third for Sixth Man of the Year voting.

Needless to say, what the Clippers have on their roster now should, for the most part, be around for the next several years.

The team also just added two rookies (Mfiondu Kabengele and Terance Mann) who are unproven but seem to fit in perfectly with the culture the franchise has built.

Coupled with the youth that the franchise has already, they still have assets. The team have all of their upcoming first round picks as well as the coveted 2021 Miami first round pick. More talent can be brought in whether it’s through the draft or by making deals.

Compared to the Raptors roster, this has to look intriguing. Kyle Lowry, Marc Gasol, Danny Green and Serge Ibaka were all big time contributors in the team’s Finals run, but none of them are exactly spring chickens. They’ll likely suffice for one, maybe two more seasons but will be non-factors long term.

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