Although the LA Clippers agreed to send Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft capital, the deal still hasn’t been made official because of the cap-circumvention investigation the two-time champion is under. A conclusion must happen, and until then, the trade will be on hold.
That was ultimately all we knew before John Hollinger of ‘The Athletic’ delivered an update, which highlighted how there’s a chance, by training camp, “Leonard is technically still a Clipper.” This is not the news LA was hoping to hear, as the organization is ready for a fresh start that’ll only begin once the superstar is moved for good.
The Raptors, of course, will have every right to be upset, as well, if the trade hasn’t gone through by training camp, considering their game plan for the regular season heavily depends on Leonard’s two-way prowess in the starting lineup.
The Clippers are eagerly waiting for the investigation to finally come to a close
Given that it’s been almost a full calendar year since the allegations broke out regarding cap circumvention against Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers, it’s become exhausting that a resolution hasn’t materialized. Everyone and their mother on the Clippers’ side of town is ready for the final verdict to be announced.
On top of that, though, is the fact that the Clippers, particularly Tyronn Lue, cannot prepare the way he may want to if he’s in the unknown on what may happen, as the outcome will directly affect the upcoming season.
Lue could be optimistic and begin planning with the mindset that Leonard will be gone, and the Clippers will have Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick joining a young, promising group led by Darius Garland. Doing so may yield benefits regarding performance in the long run.
But, in the event things don’t pan out as he hopes for, and the blockbuster trade falls apart, LA will be in a ton of trouble with little time left to spare. This will inevitably lead to a disaster the Clippers have no business being in.
All in all, while the Clippers are forced to be patient regarding the investigation surrounding Leonard, there is no doubt they are waking up each morning wishing that day is when the NBA will release a statement on the final verdict.
Whether it’s good or bad, the official resolution will provide clarity on the future, which is needed at this point.
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