The Los Angeles Clippers are considering whether or not to bring Kawhi Leonard off the bench, according to multiple sources. Head coach Tyronn Lue wants to help manage his minutes.
Of course, load management should be on any coach’s mind after a player returns from an ACL injury. Aside from the preseason, Leonard has not appeared in a game since the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
After further review of the 2022-23 NBA season championship odds, a few NBA betting sites are giving the Clippers top-3 odds to win the title this season. Some sportsbooks show higher odds for the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors.
The Los Angeles Clippers are considering starting the season by bringing Kawhi Leonard off the bench to control minutes, according to league sources. @Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 20, 2022
The Clippers need the five-time All-Star to stay healthy. In the 2021-22 season, the team finished 42-40 (.512) and eighth overall in the Western Conference.
Lue had a stellar coaching career as Los Angeles lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves and New Orleans Pelicans in the playoffs last season.
Considering the situation, the team was not expected to even make it to the playoffs. At several sportsbooks, the Clippers’ win total for the 2022-23 season is 52.5.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue is deciding whether or not to bring Kawhi Leonard off the bench.
With GM Michael Winger’s roster, the sky’s the limit. In the second round of this year’s draft, Los Angeles selected Michigan star Moussa Diabat 43rd overall.
Also after John Wall reached a contract buyout with the Houston Rockets, the 10-year veteran signed a two-year, $13.28 million contract with the Clippers.
In addition to Nicolas Batum and Ivica Zubac re-signing with the team, Amir Coffey inked an $11 million, three-year contract.
During the 2020-21 season, in 52 starts, Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He also shot 51.2% from the field and 39.8% from beyond the arc.
Prior to the injury, he received his fifth All-Star selection and third All-NBA first team selection.
After Leonard opted out of the final year of his original contract last August, the forward re-signed with the Clippers on a four-year, $176.3 million deal.
His deal includes 48,787,676 player options for the 2024-25 season and a 15% trade bonus. Leonard’s salary for the 2022-23 season is $42,492,492, which is about 22% of the team’s total salary cap.
