The Clippers will have most of their key players from last season coming back in 2021/22, but Kawhi Leonard‘s health remains a major question mark. Leonard, of course, suffered a partially torn ACL in the playoffs this spring, an injury that could force him to miss much (or all) of next season.
As Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times writes, it’s been one month since Leonard underwent surgery on his right knee. He’ll need a significant amount of time to rehab the injury, but it’s possible he could be ready to play before the 2022 postseason begins in mid-April.
“In Kawhi’s case it will be a little less than a year, which is very doable,” said Alan Beyer, executive medical director and orthopedic surgeon at Orange County’s Hoag Orthopedic Institute. “No two players are alike, so some would take seven or eight months to come back. With the caliber of these players, I would not rush. But I certainly would give him the full nine to 10 months at least before I’d expect to see him back.”
Leonard recently signed a new four-year deal with the Clippers, cementing his long-term status with the franchise. He averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 52 games last season, shooting 51% from the floor.
Here are some other notes from the Pacific:
- Kings center Chimezie Metu swung at Mavericks two-way player Eugene Omoruyi during the team’s summer league game on Sunday, as relayed by ESPN (video link). Such a play typically warrants a suspension from the NBA. Metu’s frustration stemmed from Omoruyi’s hard foul, one that occurred as Metu was in mid-air. The 24-year-old Metu suffered a broken wrist last season after being fouled in mid-air by Jonas Valanciunas.
- Nicolas Batum‘s new contract with the Clippers is a two-year, $6.49MM deal, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN (Twitter link). The deal, completed using his Non-Bird rights, includes a player option worth $3.3MM in the second season.
- The Clippers are adding forward Malik Fitts to their summer league team, according to Law Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link). Fitts signed a 10-day contract with the team back in April.
Kawhi isn’t playing this season. I’d be SHOCKED if he does
The medical staff is saying 8-9 months though.
In all seriousness, I agree with you but NBA teams don’t want to pay a guy max on the bench.
The Clippers will find a way to put pressure on Kawhi’s agent.
You also don’t want him to rush back, get re-injured, and miss a huge chunk of the following season as well.
There’s a few examples of NBA teams paying a guy Max money even though he’ll miss The Following season. Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson are two that come to mind and now Kawhi Leonard.
I’m with you guys, I think Kawhi Leonard sits out the entire season AND I’ll add the playoffs.
I include playoffs in my entire season scenario. I don’t think we see Kawhi until 2022-2023 season.
Like they did in the playoffs this year when he had the torn acl and waited a few extra weeks to get surgery? That kind of pressure?
Their staff might want to be quiet, especially if Kawhi’s doctors somehow disagree…
They might want to be very careful what they say to the media about him coming back too soon; otherwise, I could see it causing a big rift between Kawhi and the Clippers..
Especially, if the narrative turns on Kawhi, and the news starts asking, “You all said x months, and it’s been longer, why isn’t Kawhi playing?”
I can see it playing out badly already, all just from some innocent comments..
1. Bledsloe. Jackson. Mann
2. PG. Kennard. Johnson
3. Kawhi. Batum
4. Morris
5. Ibaka. Zubac
Clippers desperately trying to keep up with the Lakers defiantly a top 4 team in the West
The only way the Lakers are a top 4 team in the West is if both LeBron and AD stay healthy for most of the regular season. Considering LBJ has missed 58 games in the last 3 seasons and Davis has missed 71 games in that span, the likelihood that both of them can stay healthy next season is slim to none.
After trading for Russ they only really need two of the three to stay healthy. But I’m saying that Kawhi always missed games anyways
you forgot about Winslow
According to Bas.Ref. and anybody who saw the Clips play:
George is a 3 nearly always.
Batum is a 4 nearly always.
Mann is never a 1.
KL is out maybe all year.
probably Preston & Boston will get chances.
Johnson?— Like Wesley? Who?
And yes, Winslow figures in.
That post did not clear things up.
Dang Greenwood , that’s some Clipper vision goggles to look through. Just not accurate. Lakers are absolutely a top 4 team and possibly the favorite
lakers will blow up the team mid season like lebron did with the cavs in 2018 lmao
Seuss is stupid about LJ. Cavs fans demanded changes as the team did not make an effort sometimes even on national tv. Reality
Both teams have question marks in regards to long term health, but Lakers have better overall depth. PG better be balling out unless Kawhi comes back, or Bledsoe bounces back and Jackson can play up to the standards he set in the playoffs.
Love Metu! The dunks before that were something else.
good to see some fire in Metu.
Kawhi had a partially torn ACL. Everyone heals differently and he’s never had knees issues. Seems to me they are looking at the playoffs for him. It would be over ten months to heal. Dinwiddie wanted to play after 6 months. Clippers are still a playoff team without him. And can be a dangerous team in playoffs. When he is back. Clippers window is now. So they will do what they can to take a good shot at ring.
link to clipperholics.com