LA Clippers: A closure on the Kawhi Leonard conspiracies

Kawhi Leonard has a big decision to make this offseason but his recent injury might make it a bit easier.

When the Denver Nuggets completed the comeback series win over the LA Clippers in the NBA Bubble Playoffs, it sparked a question. While Twitter was filled with jokes about Paul George being “Pandemic P,” many wondered if the always quiet Kawhi Leonard was plotting something.

That something was a possible early exit from his arranged partnership with PG-13 and the Clippers.

Kawhi has always been secretive about his movement in the NBA. While George is an All-Star talent, many have seen his struggles as a possible catalyst to a Kawhi departure.

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Now with the recent reports that Kawhi suffered a partially torn ACL, that required surgery to correct. It seems that Kawhi may have to get used to “the up and down” playoff output of George.

An ACL tear is not a death sentence like it once was, but it is still a serious injury. Kawhi has been very cautious with his body, since his quad injury toward the end of his Spurs tenure. Load management is a term that has been coined to keep Kawhi as healthy as possible.

It seems in this uncertain time that this injury might actually cement Kawhi’s status as a Clipper. He has a player option on his contract for this summer, that will pay him over $36 million.

Kawhi picking up that option will also give the Clippers his bird rights. So they can go over the cap to sign him next summer, that contract would be in the ballpark of four years, $181.5 million.

The idea that Kawhi could bounce from his hometown team has always been speculative. It always seemed more likely that he could force the Clippers, to move a player on the roster, rather than leave.

Does Kawhi Leonard still have leverage?

Now it seems that Kawhi’s leverage has dwindled. Kawhi even with an injury can still leave the Clippers. Kevin Durant showed that teams will offer top-5 players who have suffered a career-threatening injury a max contract.

It seems now we might see what Kawhi truly wants. Does he want a long-term deal to stay in LA, so he can have financial security?

Does he bet on himself, by picking up his option, only to leave in a year to find a new team?

Does he decide the Clippers are his best chance to win? Maybe the decision comes as he watches how the Clippers fair without him. If the Clippers ascend to a new level, Kawhi might be reinvigorated to stay in LA.

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As of right now, there is no timetable for Kawhi’s to return to action. Even if there was more information, nothing is ever certain about Kawhi. The only thing that is certain is that Kawhi has a decision to make, and the injury might make it easier.