Leonard: Leadership burden doesn't change without George
The two-time Finals MVP talked on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS — Kawhi Leonard’s leadership role with the LA Clippers will not change this upcoming season without the services of five-year running mate Paul George, according to Leonard, who spoke with media on Tuesday afternoon following Team USA’s final practice in Las Vegas ahead of their exhibition on Wednesday against Canada.
“How much will be on me to lead the team?” Leonard asked when seeking clarification on a reporter’s question. “The same like it was last year. It don’t change.”
Leonard, 33, played 68 games for the Clippers last season while averaging a career-high 34.3 minutes. The Clippers were 44-24 (.647) when Leonard suited up.
But now Leonard will play on a team without the aid of the star he helped bring into the fold back in the summer of 2019 when Leonard signed with the Clippers outright and the franchise traded a haul of draft picks and talent to the Oklahoma City Thunder to bring George aboard. George signed a four-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, leaving Los Angeles in the dust.
Leonard wasn’t shocked at George’s departure, though, as he told reporters Tuesday.
“I mean, we knew what it was before the season,” Leonard said when asked if he’s thought about life without George moving forward. “We knew what it was going to come down to. We talked the whole way through, so it’s no surprise.”
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 74 games last season with the Clippers before heading to the northeast. The 34-year-old became the third player in NBA history to sign a max-level contract after turning 34, joining Stephen Curry and LeBron James. The $212 million George signed for was also the largest deal ever handed out to a free agent who switched teams, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Now, though, Leonard has been left with the likes of James Harden—who agreed to his own two-year, $70 million deal this offseason to return to the Clippers—and roleplayers who will be tasked with the defensive burden that can get the Clippers back to where they want to be overall as a team.
Leonard has his health issues to go through, as well, as the star forward is coming back from right knee inflammation that kept him out for all but two games of the team’s first-round series loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The two-time Finals MVP has been active in Team USA camp, though, and has done “everything” throughout the time in Las Vegas.
Leonard talked on Sunday afternoon to a small contingent of reporters about the trials and tribulations of his recent injury history, stating at one point that he “took the time and I was able to turn around over the last two weeks” regarding his knee inflammation.
“Last year, I tried to play as much as possible, felt great,” Leonard said. “And at a certain period of time I couldn’t go. I tried the best that I could, but it’s just my journey. I don’t want to be in a situation that I do be in, but I got to take it for what it is. And a lot of people are watching, supporters or doubters, but I motivate a lot of people.”
The Clippers are banking on a healthy bounce-back year for Leonard. But whether that’s attainable or not remains to be seen. After all, the 68 games Leonard played last season were the most he’s logged in a single season since he played 74 in 2016-17. Leonard was 25 then and finished third in the NBA’s Most Valuable Player voting.
The return of Harden will certainly help Leonard’s workload due to the guard’s penchant for being an offensive ecosystem unto himself. But that will also likely limit Harden’s availability going forward as he’s assigned a heavier burden on his own shoulders. Still, the Clippers’ remaining ‘1-2 punch’ will see more of the ball, and only good things seem possible with that taking place.
Likewise, on Tuesday, Leonard stated that he expects to suit up for the Team USA exhibition against Canada on Wednesday night.
“Yeah, I think I’ll suit up tomorrow,” Leonard, a Second Team All-NBA selection this past season, told reporters. “I mean, everything’s been good so far. [The right knee]’s been at a neutral state. Hopefully it stays that way.”
On the flip side, Kevin Durant will not suit up tomorrow night, according to USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr.
The Clippers will likely be cautious with anything and everything Kawhi Leonard going forward, but at least for one day in the Las Vegas heat, the superstar is not at all cautious about what lies ahead for both him and the team.
Leonard is asserting that his leadership role won’t change amid everything evolving around him, and it’s something the Clippers have to be thrilled to hear. The star player they’ve hitched their wagon and franchise to isn’t backing down from the responsibilities being asked of him.
That alone is a nice change of pace.