LA Clippers: 3 reasons Stephen A. Smith is wrong about Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers. 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 Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had a ridiculous take about LA Clippers‘ superstar Kawhi Leonard‘s future before the game yesterday.

He has decided that he doesn’t “know if it’s in the Clippers’ best interest to keep him.” Listen to what he has to say below:

“I don’t know if it’s in the Clippers best interest to keep him [Kawhi Leonard].”

- Stephen A. Smith

(h/t @pickuphoop)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 29, 2021

This is a disappointing take from one of the most notable and accomplished basketball minds in sports media. It couldn’t be more false.

No. 1 reason Stephen A. Smith is wrong about the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard: ‘Nobody has said that’

In Stephen A.’s explanation for saying that he doesn’t know if it’s in the LA Clippers’ best interest to keep Kawhi Leonard, he started off by saying that ‘Nobody has said that (it would be in their best interest to keep him).’

Well, Stephen A., that’s exactly the point. Nobody has said it, because it makes no sense.

There’s no basis to make this claim. Even when it’s been speculated that Kawhi could possibly leave this offseason, it was pure speculation. Also, the only case in which it was thought to be a legitimate possibility is if the Clippers were to exit the postseason early.

Even then, that was for Kawhi’s best interest. There’s no argument to be made that Kawhi coming back wouldn’t be in the best interest of the team, as Stephen A. suggested.

Nobody on the team has expressed any signs that they may not dig the idea of a top five player in this league leaving.