7. Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard has fully lived up to expectations after moving back to his hometown in the offseason, making the LA Clippers one of the best teams in the league. The four-time All-Star is leading Doc Rivers‘ team in scoring and rebounds, posting 26.9 points per night and 7.9 boards.
After watching him lead the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship last season, there’s no telling what he’s capable of with the Clips. With Paul George and one of the best bench units in the game consisting of Montrezl Harrell and Lou Williams, this team is a serious contender in the West.
Leonard has always been known for his outstanding defense, but over the last two seasons, as he’s recovered from lingering injuries, the 28-year-old is once again a force to be reckoned with offensively. Whether it’s using his strong frame to drive to the hoop and finish, or pull up and hit a 20-foot jumper, Leonard is an extremely versatile player on both ends of the court.
If we’re looking at the NBA as a whole and not just this season, Leonard is arguably the best two-way player in the league, no questions asked. He continues to come up clutch in the playoffs as well, evident by his remarkable run with Toronto last season. This man can flat out play basketball, no matter the circumstances.