Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard will be sidelined indefinitely to begin the 2023-24 NBA season as he rehabilitates from inflammation in his right knee.
Leonard deals with chronic inflammation from the multiple surgeries he’s had. He played in just two playoff games in 2023 due to a torn right meniscus and missed the entire 2021-22 season after tearing his right ACL during the 2021 playoffs.
“He should retire,” an NBA executive told Hoops Wire. “He had a terrific career. He’ll be in the Hall of Fame. But he’s damaged goods. The Clippers made a major, major mistake giving him that extension. They are screwed.”
One of the top players in NBA history, Leonard averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks in 2023-24 for the Clippers in 68 games while shooting 52.5% from the field, 41.7% from beyond the arc and 88.5% from the free-throw line. He made the All-Star team and the All-NBA second team.
“He has not been a part of what we’ve been doing on a daily basis,” Clippers assistant coach Brian Shaw said on Wednesday (10/17). “I know the company line has been that we’re going to be patient with him, so he’s doing everything that he can to rehab it and strengthen that knee on his own with our medical staff. And we’re just dealing with the guys that we have [available].”
The Clippers won 51 games last season but lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs in six games. Leonard only played in Games 2 and 3.
LAC lost Paul George to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason in free agency. Leonard and George failed to guide the Clippers to the NBA Finals as a duo.
The Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension in January. On his podcast, George said LAC offered him a three-year, $150 million contract.
When George countered by asking for a no-trade clause in the deal, the Clippers declined.
George requested a four-year contract worth $212 million without the no-trade clause, but the Clippers weren’t interested.
Leonard has career averages of 20.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.7 blocks with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers. He’s a two-time champion and a two-time Finals MVP.
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