After a few days as an NBA free agent, perennial All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard is rejoining the Los Angeles Clippers.
Yahoo Sports NBA insider Chris Haynes broke the news on Friday that Kawhi would be returning to LA. Given how close the Clippers got to reaching their first NBA Finals, the move makes sense.
In two years with the Clippers, Kawhi has averaged 26 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. This past year he led the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history.
Kawhi wants to lead the Clippers to an NBA title. He’s made that clear from the get-go.
So it should come as no shock that NBA fans aren’t entirely surprised that Kawhi is staying put:
I mean everyone who had a brain knew he was always gonna stay https://t.co/HmxP6ZzScA
— PP6 (@185Alamin) August 6, 2021
Home is where you belong 💪 💙❤ @kawhileonard https://t.co/Bm0yUsoV3R
— PAUL GEORGE ➐ (@Og_Trece) August 6, 2021
What a surprise @tdotsin @LordPinicus https://t.co/7XBB0E5dBW
— Deuce Bell (@Deuce32bell) August 6, 2021
Idk why he took so long https://t.co/QAqjoZMc3e
— Irtaza🦖👑 (@BigRingRaps) August 6, 2021
Some are criticizing Kawhi Leonard for dragging his feet in re-signing, potentially impeding the Clippers’ free agency plans. Others wanted to take the opportunity to point out that Kawhi rejoining Clippers won’t help their NBA title chances.
Kawhi suffered a partial tear of the ACL in his right knee during the NBA playoffs. As a result, he wasn’t able to join the Clippers during the Western Conference Finals, which they lost to the Phoenix Suns.
But despite that disappointing ending and Kawhi’s impending recovery, the two sides want to run it back. Potentially into Kawhi’s mid-30s.
It took a long time, but the biggest free agent out there is finally off the market – possibly for good.
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