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LA Clippers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard re-signing takes pressure off winning now

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on April 04, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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This year seemed like an absolute must-win for the LA Clippers. Sure, after last year’s collapse in the bubble versus the Denver Nuggets, the team needed to have a sense of urgency but that wasn’t the main component driving the front office. It was Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard, the biggest free agency signing in franchise history, is poised to enter unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2021. With everything the team gave up to get both him and Paul George, there couldn’t be any missteps that would cause Leonard to consider leaving. Luckily, that doesn’t seem as big of a concern

The rumor that Kawhi Leonard will re-sign with the LA Clippers takes a lot of pressure off of the team to win now.

Does that mean they shouldn’t still have a championship or bust mentality? Of course not. Winning the NBA Finals should be the only goal this group has. For the front office, however, a loss in the postseason might not be as detrimental as they may have once thought.

The report which comes via Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription required) notes that unless there’s “a dramatic turn of events”, it’s widely expected by not just the Clippers but the entire league that Leonard will return to the team.

light. Related Story. Paul George signs max extension to stay in LA

While his mindset could change, the chemistry on this team seems high enough and the roster is well constructed. There are a lot of elements that factor into a championship run and worrying about your superstar leaving if you don’t succeed could potentially weigh on the team. Now, call me crazy, but I don’t see a loss in the playoff as something that would constitute a dramatic turn of events unless it’s something like a first-round sweep.

If, say, some key player gets injured and the Clippers lose in the second round or Western Conference Finals, it’s nice to know that Kawhi probably won’t hold that against the team and decide to bolt.

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The LA Clippers should strive for a championship this year at all costs but if they don’t win, it’s a bit of a relief to know that it’s not the end of their window and that Leonard will likely be back to attempt another run at it. That weight off their collective shoulders is a blessing.

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