The Los Angeles Clippers made it to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history last season.
Unfortunately for them, Kawhi Leonard couldn’t help the team make their first trip to the NBA Finals.
Leonard, the five-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, tore his ACL in the Western Conference semifinals.
After losing to the Phoenix Suns in six games, Los Angeles learned that Leonard wanted to decline the $36 million player option in his contract, thus making him a free agent.
But instead of leaving his hometown team, Leonard opted to re-sign with the Clippers.
Last week, Leonard inked a new four-year, $176.3 million contract, a deal that will keep him in Los Angeles through 2025.
Home is where the heart is.
Let's keep building, @kawhileonard. pic.twitter.com/Xu4aLTvEOj
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 12, 2021
Injury Complicated Matters For Leonard
Had Leonard not suffered the partial ACL tear against the Utah Jazz, there’s a real chance the Clippers would have made the NBA Finals.
A fully healthy Clippers squad could have given the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks fits as well, considering both Leonard and Paul George could have guarded Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Leonard had guided the Clippers to the franchise’s first NBA championship, he could have hit the open market as the most sought-after free agent in years.
But the knee injury short-circuited not only the team’s title hopes, but also Leonard’s potential free agency.
However, although he declined his option, there seemed to be no indication that Leonard planned to leave Los Angeles.
A season after averaging 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, Leonard knew he wanted to remain with the Clippers.
Signing the new four-year deal aligns Leonard’s contract with that of fellow Clipper All-Star George.
George signed a four-year extension last offseason.
The injury also complicated matters for the Clippers, who saw their title hopes slip away and feared losing their star to another club.
This new contract indicates a long-term investment between both Leonard and Los Angeles.
By opting to sign the four-year deal, Leonard demonstrated his commitment to the club.
The Clippers can now focus on supplementing the roster around him.
Some major Kawhi-lights.
📽 Top plays from @kawhileonard's Clippers career (so far). pic.twitter.com/XS2Rdbx5rr
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) August 12, 2021
Clippers Poised For Another Playoff Run
Best-case scenario for the Clippers remains a late season return for their star.
But instead of closing their competitive window, assuming they’ll be without Leonard for the entire season, Los Angeles elected to bring back the core of their Western Conference Finals team.
The Clippers re-signed Nicolas Batum, Reggie Jackson, and Serge Ibaka.
Each of those veterans played pivotal roles in Leonard’s absence.
They figure to do so again throughout the first half of the 2021-2022 season.
The team also looks for Terance Mann to take another step forward in his development.
The promising young guard played well in Leonard’s absence last year, too.
In an effort to align its roster with players more complementary to Leonard and George, the Clippers traded Patrick Beverley, Daniel Oturu, and Rajon Rondo to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for former Clipper guard Eric Bledsoe.
This move saves the Clippers a significant sum in the luxury tax, while also aligning the ages of its best players.
The core of George, Jackson, and Bledsoe could keep the Clippers within striking distance of the Western Conference’s top teams.
Then, a returning Leonard could be the difference-maker.
And considering the aging core of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Western Conference should be up for grabs in the coming seasons.
NEXT: Are Clippers Even Built Properly To Beat Rival Lakers?