With Kawhi Leonard playing, many expected the LA Clippers to sustain a lengthy winning streak and jump to a higher seed. Though they have won a fair share of games, head coach Tyronn Lue has not improved the team's standing in the Western Conference.
With Leonard, the Clippers are 10-5; however, they once encountered a three-game losing streak. This stretch consisted of teams like the Lakers, Pacers, and Raptors, two of which were easily attainable. In fact, LA allowed Indiana to come back down 22 points and win by seven.
Furthermore, if the Clippers do not surprise the world and make a run in the playoffs, executive Lawrence Frank's motivation must change. He must ignite a new era under Intuit Dome, and it will begin by answering some ridiculously tough questions.
Is a soon-to-be 33-year-old Kawhi Leonard capable enough to steer the LA Clippers to the NBA Finals?
The simple answer is no if Kawhi Leonard does not perform his playoff magic.
On both sides of the ball, Leonard may be a great player. He can still consistently do damage in the midrange, dunk on various defenders, and be one of the key offensive options on a championship roster.
Conversely, Leonard's injury history has affected his defense. He is not the same Defensive Player of the Year he was in 2016, adding to why Lawrence Frank must evaluate his options.
LA could receive multiple young talents and draft picks for the two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP if a trade occurs.
Is Tyronn Lue the Clippers' best head coaching option?
Head coach Tyronn Lue has achieved the impossible for the LA Clippers. He has proven himself to be an elite head coach, but if Lawrence Frank pivots closer to a rebuild, the front office may hire another candidate.
Moreover, Lue is not a developmental coach. He struggled with talents like Brandon Boston Jr. and Moussa Diabate, who are now thriving for other young teams.
If the Clippers elect to preserve their championship spirit, they may still change their staff, as Lue has not appeared in the NBA Finals despite coaching multiple superstars simultaneously.
Do the Clippers need another star, assuming they decide to keep contending?
Another early exit in the postseason will signal to Lawrence Frank that the LA Clippers need another star talent.
What they currently have with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden is not enough compared to teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers. They need a player in his prime who can take charge on both ends of the court.
This is the new mindset, as their unique defensive approach was good but not strong enough to triumph the Western Conference.
The best case for Frank would be to wait and hope that a top-tier all-star lands on the trade block for a price they can pay.