Can the LA Clippers be a championship contender with a part-time Kawhi Leonard?

The LA Clippers are understandably bringing Kawhi Leonard along slowly, but can they win a championship with a part-time superstar?

Before the start of the season, the LA Clippers had emerged as a fan favorite to win the 2023 NBA Championship. Looking at their roster, it’s easy to see why. On paper, the Clippers have one of the most talented teams in the league. And two of the top 15 players in the league when they are at the top of their games.

However, the start of the 2022-23 NBA season hasn’t exactly gone as expected. Through the first six games of the season, the Clippers are just 2-4 and have dropped four-straight games. After winning their first two matchups of the year, it seems that the Clippers have faltered a bit.

Perhaps most concerning, after playing in two of the team’s first three games, Kawhi Leonard has missed the team’s last three games. He hasn’t played in a week and he’s set to miss Monday’s tilt against the Houston Rockets.

Should there be a concern for Kawhi Leonard?

At least for now, there hasn’t been much concern surrounding Kawhi at the moment. Though, one of the reasons why he’s being held out is due to the fact that he’s experienced stiffness in his knee to start the season.

At this point, it’s probably best that the Clippers have elected to pay it safe when it comes to Kawhi’s return. Though, you’d have to wonder if this is something that could have repercussions for the remainder of the season.

Is this going to be something that the Clippers will have to monitor throughout the season? Probably. And if Kawhi is experiencing stiffness now that he’s only played a few minutes in a handful of games, you’d have to wonder what could be waiting for Kawhi when he returns to a full workload.

Through two games played, Kawhi is averaging 13 points and seven rebounds on 44 percent shooting from the field and 17 percent shooting from 3-point range in 21 minutes per contest.

But another part of the Clippers’ struggles is the fact that Paul Goerge has gotten off to a slow start himself. He’s only averaging 20 points on 42 percent shooting from the field and 26 percent shooting from 3-point range.

For as good as George has been throughout the last couple of seasons for the Clippers, he hasn’t been a superstar so far this season.

So, the question is, can the Clippers be trusted as a true championship contender with a part-time superstar? Because that’s what they’re essentially relying on Kawhi to be this season.