Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA and has player options for the 2024-25 Season. However, Leonard wants to stay with the Clippers.
Currently, trade rumors are buzzing on the internet. But does it mean that the LA Clippers could trade Leonard?
Los Angeles Clippers’ Star Kawhi Leonard Eager to Stay in the Team
An NBA Insider, Brian Windhorst of ESPN, has said that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George of the Clippers want to stay with the franchise. With this, the Clippers have the opportunity to negotiate with both the star players.
Windhorst said:
“As far as I know, those guys want to be in Los Angeles.”
The Clippers had sky-high expectations with Leonard and George when they paired both of them before the 2019-20 Season. However, currently, it is difficult to determine whether or not the Clippers will succeed with this pair.
The Clippers new big four are all from Southern California:
Kawhi Leonard- LA
Paul George- Palmdale
Westbrook- Long Beach
James Harden- LAHome is where the heart is. pic.twitter.com/q5TzvrAhiu
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) October 31, 2023
The Leonard-George pair did not perform up to the expectations. Still, the Clippers were able to make it past the second round of the playoffs and lost in the Western Conference Finals 2021.
Can the Clippers Win the NBA Title with Kawhi Leonard’s Frequent Injuries?
The major problem with the Clippers not running for the title is the injuries that the players are frequently facing, especially Leonard. He didn’t play the Western Conference Finals in 2021 and also didn’t appear in the 2021-22 season of the WC Finals.
Leonard has not played more than fifty-seven games for the Clippers in a regular season. On the other hand, the Clippers’ other star player, Paul George, has also not played more than 56 games in a regular season for the organization.
Now, the big question is whether or not the Clippers are up and running for the NBA 2023-24 title. If they are running for the title, could they achieve it by having Leonard on the roster?
Kawhi Leonard is 32 years old and has already peaked. The Clippers’ star doesn’t have more years left to peak, especially when he is frequently injured.
Leonard and George have opted for the player options worth $48.8 million for the NBA 2024-25 Season. And since both the stars willingly want to stay in the Clippers, this will definitely get them smaller contracts.
