In the years leading up, through his two-way greatness, Kawhi Leonard has been the catalyst for an LA Clippers' championship run. As expected, the player LA is paying approximately $50 million annually is needed in every playoff game to have a chance at defeating the top teams in the Western Conference.
Upon examining the last three seasons, Leonard was only able to survive one, and regardless, the outcome was the same: a first-round exit. Thus, without him present at all, the Clippers would have gone nowhere and likely missed the postseason all three times.
Furthermore, Leonard's health and availability are his most significant individual concern, as well as the most prominent issue for the team. LA's playoff success directly correlates to the condition of his knees.
Although this may have been an impossible issue to solve, as injuries are unpredictable, even with new techniques implemented, Lawrence Frank struck gold and found the ideal solution. This is similar to what the Oklahoma City Thunder have done in recent years, but on an older and more experienced team.
Lawrence Frank's solution to Kawhi Leonard's biggest problem for the LA Clippers was to simply add as much depth as possible
Although there are safe and unsafe risks in the game of basketball, the LA Clippers would be taking the wrong approach by fully trusting Kawhi Leonard to stay healthy next season, despite finally breaking through a series without injury.
Additionally, Leonard is putting in the work individually, while his peers were enjoying the offseason, as he wants full and complete availability just as much as the fans do. This rationalizes his love for winning at the professional level.
However, Lawrence Frank adopted the mindset that it is better to be safe than sorry, and acquired John Collins, along with signing Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul.
This added depth changes the Clippers' chances of winning a title next season, as Leonard's presence and the health of the rest of the team should allow them to breeze through the Western Conference Playoffs.
That said, the Clippers' worry about Leonard has dwindled to the point where even if he encounters an injury, they will still have a force that can compete with opposing championship rosters. James Harden would have to become a leader, yet with the new additions plus Ivica Zubac, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Nicolas Batum, teams will still have to keep LA on their radar as a nightmare opponent.