Los Angeles Clippers (DR)
By Mathieu Seguin | Sport editor
Kawhi Leonard could soon find himself at the heart of a huge upheaval in the NBA. Rumors evoke a possible sanction for the clippers, accused of having bypassed the Salary Cap to remunerate their star. If the league decided to hit hard, its contract could be canceled, opening the door to a surprise arrival in another franchise.
Since his arrival in Los Angeles in 2019, Leonard has never been able to offer full measure of his talent over time, mainly because of repetitive injuries. The Clippers, engaged in 43 playoff games over the period, could only count on him during 28 games. A fragility that has often sealed the ambitions of the organization, especially during decisive moments.
For Robert Horry, former player and respected consultant, the situation could however turn in favor of Leonard. The seven -time NBA champion firmly believes that the winger will live a different season. “It is not a guy who will create conflicts in a wardrobe, and I think this year will be 100 % of his means. I am convinced, because he has already returned too early in the past, and many of his injuries come from that ”Horry explained in his podcast.
A Revigoré Kawhi, an immense opportunity to seize
Horry’s words find an echo in the recent history of the player. After a break in the previous cross ligament, Leonard tried to come back quickly, which had caused a new series of pain and a recalcitrant knee. In 2023, he had to miss the end of the season. The following year, he learned to better manage his playing time, seeming to find much more solid health during the playoffs.
The hypothesis of a contract canceled by the NBA is still unclear, but it raises fascinating questions. Horry believes that the league will not leave Leonard free to sign wherever he wishes: “They will have to supervise this, because if you fze them up to $ 28 million, they will not let him go in free agent. Otherwise, he will sign a contract that will largely exceed 100 million. »» A perspective that could upset the transfer market.
At 34, Leonard has a huge value on the market, and many teams would be ready to bet on him despite his medical liability. Horry compares his case to that of Joel Embiid, also subject to injuries, but considered essential because of his talent. “I think that in our time, with a player of this caliber, a game to change like him, you must take this risk”added the old laker.
If Robert Horry’s predictions are confirmed and Leonard finds his physical fullness, the impact could be colossal. He would become the dominant winger capable of changing the destiny of a franchise, as during his coronations in 2014 with the Spurs and in 2019 with the Raptors. Kawhi’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: his name will be at the center of all discussions in the coming months.
