Kawhi Leonard’s health issues have long been a point of concern for the LA Clippers. Recent reports suggest that his injury situation might be worse than initially thought. Leonard signed a three-year, $149.5 million extension in January 2024. That extension begins this season. However, retirement rumors are swirling, and Kawhi Leonard’s potential departure could have massive implications for the Clippers both on and off the court.
NBA Business: The Clippers Are Set To Suffer Adversely If Kawhi Leonard Retires
Immediate On-Court Impact: Losing the Team’s Best Player
Leonard is undoubtedly the Clippers’ cornerstone player, and his retirement would leave a massive void in the team’s roster. Injuries have limited his availability in recent seasons. Still, Leonard has been the Clippers’ most reliable two-way force when on the floor. Without him, the team’s ability to compete for a championship would plummet. This drop in competitiveness would also extend to their immediate goals, with the team losing its most potent offensive and defensive weapon.
Replacing a player of Leonard’s caliber is no easy task. This is especially true for a team that has committed so much salary cap space to its star players. While the Clippers have other stars like James Harden, the two have worked in tandem to elevate the team’s status. Leonard’s absence would likely push Harden into a greater burden, but the team’s overall ceiling would drop significantly.
Salary Cap Implications: Huge Dead Money or Potential Relief
If Leonard retires, the Clippers will face immediate implications for their salary cap. Leonard is owed a substantial portion of the team’s payroll. His departure would impact how much salary cap space the team can clear. Depending on the terms of his retirement, the Clippers might either gain some financial flexibility or be stuck with dead salary cap space.
In the case of a medically-related retirement, the Clippers could potentially seek cap relief under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). However, this process is neither straightforward nor guaranteed. The team would need to demonstrate Leonard’s retirement is due to a career-ending injury. This avenue would require approval from the league and could take time.
Even if they obtain salary relief, the Clippers’ salary cap for the 2024-25 season will remain tight. Leonard’s contract currently occupies a large portion of the cap. There’s no obvious way to move his salary off the books. The Clippers could be stuck with an expensive roster that no longer includes its biggest star. This situation would limit their ability to restructure the team or pursue high-value free agents. This creates a major roadblock for the franchise’s competitiveness.
Draft Pick Implications: Thunder Own Swap Rights
One of the most concerning long-term implications of Leonard’s possible retirement would be the Clippers’ draft situation. As part of the Paul George trade, the Oklahoma City Thunder own swap rights with the Clippers for the 2025 draft. If Leonard retires and the Clippers have a poor season, it could result in a high draft pick. However, the Clippers won’t even benefit from this situation. The Thunder could exercise their right to swap picks and leave the Clippers with a worse selection.
This situation could further hurt the Clippers’ ability to rebuild or reload their roster. They could miss out on drafting a high-potential young player. In essence, the Clippers would be gifting the Thunder a valuable asset, without any real benefit for themselves. Infact, the Clippers don’t own any of their draft picks until the 2030 draft.
This is a direct consequence of the Clippers’ all-in approach to winning a championship by signing Leonard, and trading for George as well as Harden. It shows how quickly fortunes can turn when a star player’s career is cut short.
Arena and Marketability: Losing Their Headliner
The Clippers are set to open their new arena, the Intuit Dome, in 2024-25. Leonard was supposed to be one of the key attractions as they made their transition. With Leonard potentially missing the first game due to injury, and now retirement rumors looming, the team could lose their marquee player for the grand opening. This would be a major blow not just for the team’s competitiveness but also for their ability to market themselves in a crowded Los Angeles sports market.
Leonard’s departure would significantly reduce the excitement surrounding the Clippers’ move into their new arena. Ticket sales, fan interest, and overall buzz could drop dramatically without a star player to lead the franchise into this new chapter. The Clippers have always been the “second” team in LA. Losing Leonard would make it even harder for them to compete with the Lakers for fan attention and corporate sponsorships.
Front Office and Coaching Decisions
If Leonard retires, the Clippers’ front office will have to rethink its long-term strategy. The current roster is built around the win-now mentality, with Leonard and Harden as the primary focal points. Leonard’s retirement could trigger a shift in priorities, with the team potentially considering a rebuild or at least a retooling. Head coach Tyronn Lue would also face challenges in managing a roster that’s suddenly without its best player.
Lue, who was brought in to lead a title-contending team, might find himself coaching a squad that’s no longer positioned to compete for championships. This could lead to further changes in the coaching staff or even Lue’s departure if the franchise decides to go in a different direction.
Kawhi Leonard’s Retirement Paints a Grim Picture for the Clippers
Leonard’s potential retirement would have wide-ranging consequences for the LA Clippers. On the court, they would lose their best player, making it difficult to remain competitive. Off the court, the salary cap complications and the lost draft pick due to the Thunder’s swap rights could hinder the team’s ability to rebuild. Perhaps most concerning is the impact Leonard’s retirement would have on the team’s marketability as they open their new arena, leaving them without a headline act to draw in fans. For the Clippers, Leonard’s retirement could signify the end of their championship window. It will force them into a period of uncertainty as they navigate a post-Kawhi era.
