Despite Kawhi Leonard having the ability to decline his $36MM player option and enter free agency this summer, the pairing of Leonard and Paul George is likely to continue with the Clippers, Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times opines.
Leonard and George remain one of the league’s most formidable duos on both ends of the floor. This season’s run was cut short due to Leonard’s knee injury in round two, with the Clippers subsequently losing 4-2 to the Suns in the Western Conference Finals.
“We’ve made great connections; I think we’ve both grown, myself and Kawhi, together,” George said after the team’s season-ending loss, as relayed by Greif. “I think we really enjoy being teammates, and we see what we can be and what we can do.
“So, I’m happy. I’m happy to be his teammate. I was very excited. Proud of what we accomplished. … I think we’ve got a good foundation.”
There’s more out of the Western Conference tonight:
- Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall had an extensive conversation with new head coach Jason Kidd about his 2001 domestic abuse charge before he was hired, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News writes. Kidd accepted his position with the Mavericks last month. He won a championship with the team in 2011 and most recently served as an assistant coach with the Lakers.
- Former Celtics president Danny Ainge said that there’s “nothing going on” between him and the Jazz at this point, despite rumors he could join the team as an advisor, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Ainge recently departed from the Celtics after nearly two decades with the franchise.
- Mark Faller of The Arizona Republic examines how the Suns went from 19 wins in 2018/19 to the NBA Finals this season, calling it the best turnaround story in sports. Phoenix, led by a star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker, will play Milwaukee in Game 1 of the Finals on Tuesday.
Salary cap $112 million
What if
Mavs get rid of Hardaway, Richardson and WCS
Mavs have $36 million cap room to sign Kawhi or acquire any superstar
Mavs need A new superstar
Via trade Richardson for a fake second round pick
What Doncic is not a superstar?
no status update on kawhi’s injury no more? blown out knee? i don’t know what to do without the daily mystery anymore.
I believe it was his ideology that was sprained.
Kawhi got lucky when his former team beat the Warriors after Klay and KD got hurt, now it’s the Suns turn to be the lucky ones with Kawhi getting hurt giving them a free pass in the WCF.
You can wine and qualify all you want. His “former team” Toronto Raptors won it all in 2019. History can’t be changed.
That’s whine not wine Joe Golfer.
a free pass? Same free pass that Utah got right?
The Jazz couldn’t take advantage because their starting backcourt were playing through injuries. That’s the way it goes though….injuries happen every year.
So true ….
Ainge does not have the adequate head size to replace Lindsay. Expect Battier. :)
I’ve read multiple quotes from George opining on how much he and Kawhi love each other, yet curiously none from Kawhi—who also curiously sat out the latter half of the playoffs with a sprain that’s never been specifically identified.
Leonard and George are certainly formidable, although I’m not sure I’d throw “most” and “in the league” next to the formidable. They looked about as formidable together as Luka did by himself in Round 1, and then in the semi’s and WCF things got so discombobulated with injuries I’m not sure what long-term conclusions anyone can make. Reggie Jackson is their third star? Batum is their starting 5?
Kawhi will most likely stay in LA. But I wouldn’t be shocked if we’re having “What’s the best offer LA can get for Paul George?” conversations come August.
Former Celtics president Danny Ainge said that there’s “nothing going on” between him and the Jazz; at this point the priority for Utah is to dump the team name of “JAZZ” and replace it with a name that is more location relevant.
utah salt flats?
Instead of being upset, everybody in LA Clippers are happy. Pretty Lame! Kawhii’s injury saved everybody from living hell during offseason.
What is Leonards’ injury? Does he require surgery? If so he would miss time next season if not the season itself. Should that be the case I imagine his feelings regarding the Clips medical and training staff may determine if he re-signs based on his history.