In 2019, Kawhi Leonard was wanted by literally every single team in the NBA. Had he been under contract and not a free agent, countless teams would have given the Toronto Raptors a similar or better haul than what the Oklahoma City Thunder received for Paul George.
Leonard was that good, and he proved himself as the best player at the time over players like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry.
The two-time champion chose the Clippers, and over the years, his trade value has steadily declined. This is not from a production standpoint, as he can still drop around 40 points in the playoffs, but through a notable injury history.
It is understandable for contenders to want Leonard from the Clippers, yet still be skeptical about how much he is worth trading for, as every contest his signature New Balance sneakers are laced up, the fanbase is worried about his health.
However, yesterday, updates were released on Leonard’s past, and with the investigation he is currently under, the Clippers may have to keep him even if they prefer a trade.
Many reasons suggest the LA Clippers have more than enough time for Kawhi Leonard to be employed
In one of his latest appearances, NBA expert Brian Windhorst made a great point on the excessive amounts of money Kawhi Leonard has made the LA Clippers pay. This is a tough pill to swallow, as he has been one of the highest-paid Clippers for a while, even with the front office accepting him with the injury risk he brings.
On the contrary, Dennis Robertson, an uncle to Leonard, reportedly had multiple desires from the Toronto Raptors that consisted of the front office acquiring Paul George, ownership opportunities in different directions, and sponsorships that would not require him to do anything.
This is all coming out after Leonard’s name was criticized for fraudulent activities with a tree company known as Aspiration.
Furthermore, in a hypothetical yet possible scenario, if the Clippers feel Leonard’s time in LA is up, the interest around the league could be minimal. He is a reputable superstar, but teams will certainly question his addition with all of the drama he brings.
That said, the Clippers could be stuck with Leonard for the next two seasons if Adam Silver and the NBA find him guilty and decide not to void the remaining years of his contract as a consequence of his actions.