The Los Angeles Clippers have went through a nearly one-third of their 2024-25 campaign without the decorated Kawhi Leonard.
Now, with Christmas right around the corner, they’re expecting a Klaw-sized gift in the immediate future. At 14-11, the Clippers certainly aren’t complaining about adding another ornament. However, Leonard’s extended absence has led to questions about how he’ll look when he returns.
L.A.’s evolution into an undeniably elite defensive team only adds to them.
Clippers Decision-Maker Ty Lue Discusses Kawhi Leonard Concerns
“He’s a defensive-minded guy who can guard the basketball, guard five different positions,” Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue tells reporters (h/t The Athletic’s Law Murray), unfazed by the uncertainty surrounding Leonard. “For him coming into what we’re doing, it shouldn’t be hard for him to get involved.”
To that point, the Clippers’ defense ranks fifth in opponent’s points per game (107.4) and seventh in defensive rating (109.7) this season. With myriad players who are some combination of long, athletic, and physical, they have the championship-level defensive personnel. Leonard will only help that.
His burst and lateral movement will be monitored closely, especially early on. Lower leg injuries can sap a player’s athleticism and he’s had multiple. However, his defensive aptitude doesn’t rely on explosiveness as much as intelligence and anticipation. With his physical tools and intangibles, he should still have a positive influence at that end.
Fortunately for Leonard, he probably won’t have to guard the toughest defensive assignments when he returns anyways. Norman Powell and Kris Dunn have done a terrific job while starting on the wing. If Leonard starts in place of Derrick Jones Jr. when he returns, he also has the benefit of guarding 4s, which are usually less active than other positions.
What About The Other End?
Leonard’s ability to acclimate to the Clippers’ offense shouldn’t be a matter of concern either. Powell has stepped into a larger role in the offense and James Harden wants to prove he’s not too far removed from his prime. However, there’s just as much room for Leonard to make his presence felt as there was last season.
In fact, there might be more.
Powell is averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game on 49.2 percent shooting from the field and 48.6 percent from three. That compares favorably with Paul George’s production in 2023-24, as he averaged 22.6 points per game, shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from outside. Yet, George is a more sophisticated shot-creator than Powell, which creates a vacuum in the offense.
Leonard may be, as Lue says, “defensive-minded.” Nonetheless, he’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA. The jokes about Leonard’s mechanical personality take on a different life when considering his technical proficiency at the offensive end.
He’s the Terminator. Cyborg. Iron Man. Like Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, he’s a late bloomer offensively but still a deadly nightshade.
With that being said, Leonard’s familiarity with fitting in could help him amid his impending return. He’s already been able to evaluate what the team needs from him the most while he’s on the sideline. Easing himself back into the mix can help his teammates keep their momentum and him build his.
As a player who has averaged 24.1 points per game on .517-.411-.880 shooting splits over the past three seasons, the Clippers definitely aren’t just going to forget about Leonard. That doesn’t mean they have to toss him out of the frying pan and into the fire though. Nor have they, to this point of the season.
