Kawhi Leonard did not see the Los Angeles Clippers’ trade-deadline strikes coming.
The group had been enjoying a few of its finest basketball in weeks, constructing actual momentum with none obvious issues. Then the entrance workplace modified route.
The Clippers traded away James Harden and Ivica Zubac, two gamers who had been central to their current success. That call raised eyebrows across the NBA. Studies surfaced later that a number of groups checked in on Leonard throughout the closing hour earlier than the deadline.
The Clippers weren’t transferring him. They understood his worth, no matter what a possible rebuild would possibly appear like down the road. Los Angeles introduced in Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson, together with draft property.
These additions sparked hypothesis that the franchise was making ready for all times after Leonard. The thought gained traction rapidly.
However beat author Joey Linn just lately reported that Clippers president Lawrence Frank addressed Leonard’s future and opened the door to the potential of him staying in Los Angeles past his present deal.
“We undoubtedly see a state of affairs the place he is a part of the group going ahead. Look — Kawhi when wholesome is arguably one of many top-5 gamers on this league. Nobody is enjoying higher than him over this final 7-week stretch. Much like what we did in different summers, we all the time get along with Kawhi and his representatives and we lay out what the plan is,” Frank stated.
“The primary precedence for Kawhi is identical primary precedence for the Clippers group. We wish to win a championship. How can we do it collectively? That is what it appears to be like like.”
