According to reports, Kawhi Leonard is partly responsible for the return of JaMychal Green to the LA Clippers after watching him the past season.
On Thursday, July 18, JaMychal Green officially re-signed to a two-year $10 million deal with the LA Clippers. The organization was in pursuit of his resigning ever since his intricate role during the playoffs last season. However, Kawhi Leonard was a huge part in Green’s detail to be a Clipper.
As the well known NBA Insider Shams Charania reported earlier this week, Leonard’s recruitment of players has been a testament to the rest of the League in his stardom. Not only was he involved in snagging Paul George with tenure to the Clippers but also the overlooked JaMychal Green. Leonard wanted Green to stay in Los Angeles after his previous performances left his name reckoning through the NBA.
JaMychal Green was acquired by the Clippers from the Memphis Grizzlies on February 7h of this year. He’s overlooked by most of the League. His numbers are phenomenal for the games he played, mostly off the bench. In only 24 games played last season, Green averaged 8.7 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and a career-high in three point percentage, shooting 41.3% from that range.
The development of his unique shooting ability and drive defensively has been existential on the Clippers. Now, he will be receiving more playing time. This is the season Green is due to a breakout and Kawhi realized that. He needed him to be another solid core rotation player in his championship goal. With Kawhi’s connections in the league being so mysterious, it’s great to get insight into his mind and see that he recognizes talented role players like Green. Green’s minutes will be increased and his games with the Clippers going forward are only going to improve his chemistry with the team and vigor in playing other teams.
Green’s fit on the Clippers is perfect. The orchestration of this Clippers team is a starting lineup to be afraid of and a bench to be feared as well. He adds a dynamic the Clippers need, shooting power and rebounding talents. Leonard’s strategic recruitment of Green is what the Clipper’s answered and committed toward. With Leonard’s time with the team already ticking, it makes sense that the team has committed to do whatever they can to appease him in the coming years.