The Los Angeles Clippers must decide about their relationship with Kawhi Leonard.
The five-time All-Star and two-time champion is eligible for a four-year, $220 million contract extension.
However will the Clippers give it to him contemplating his huge historical past of lacking video games due to accidents?
WNBA star and basketball analyst Chiney Ogwumike declared on “First Take” that they need to undoubtedly prolong him.
Noting that when Leonard is wholesome he’s a “celebrity,” Ogwumike mentioned: “The Clippers have to increase Kawhi Leonard as a result of that is the closest that the Clippers have been to competition.”
.@chiney desires the Clippers to increase Kawhi Leonard:
“The Clippers have to increase Kawhi Leonard as a result of that is the closest that the Clippers have been to competition. … When wholesome, Kawhi is a celebrity.” pic.twitter.com/kE5R1p2OB7
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 8, 2023
She mentioned that she is inspired by a remark from head coach Ty Lue.
He mentioned Leonard is getting wholesome and on monitor to play far more subsequent season.
She additionally added that the Clippers are set to open a state-of-the-art enviornment quickly.
They merely can not try this with out Leonard on the roster, Ugwumike mentioned.
These are all truthful factors however some followers would take concern with the concept of LA placing up a lot money for extra of Leonard.
The person hasn’t performed greater than 60 video games in 4 seasons and the final time he performed greater than 70 was again in 2017.
Plus he missed all of 2021-22 on account of an ACL damage.
To not point out he doomed LA’s probabilities within the final postseason.
He was once more compelled out due to bodily issues.
Ogwumike is correct: when Leonard is absolutely wholesome, he’s a really terrific participant.
However he simply isn’t wholesome sufficient for all followers to help him incomes greater than $200 million over the following 4 years.
Ogwumike mentioned she is trusting the method, Lue, and Leonard’s conditioning staff to get him in form all season lengthy.
If they will pull that off and Leonard stays wholesome, devoted followers will likely be far more snug with him sticking round.
However only one extra damage to Leonard may make the pleas to chop him unfastened a lot louder.
NEXT:
Paul George Responds To Devin Booker’s Feedback