LA Clippers to Maintain Commitment to Injured Superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George

ParallelDesk 02:07:15 PM, 27 April 2023

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The LA Clippers have announced that they will be keeping Kawhi Leonard and Paul George on their roster, despite their long-standing struggle with injuries. The duo was acquired by the team in 2019, but their partnership has yet to produce the desired results. Owner of the team, Steve Ballmer has made it clear that he has no intentions of changing the core of his team and is committed to keeping his two star forwards. The LA Clippers are expected to have Leonard and George on their roster for at least one more season, with their identical contracts running through the summer of 2025. Despite the players’ injuries causing them to miss multiple games, their stellar performances when on court cannot be denied. However, this is not enough to ignore the fact that their constant injury problems have been a big problem for the Clippers, whose biggest success came in reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2021. Leonard appeared in only 52 regular-season games and the first two of their five first-round playoff games with the Phoenix Suns. During his four-year tenure in the City of Angels, the 6-foot-7 forward has played only 161 games, which comes down to just 40 games per season. George, on the other hand, has played 189 games or 47 games per season, which is only marginally better. He couldn't participate in the 2023 playoffs due to a leg injury, and the LA Clippers' load management strategy, which rested both the players and avoided playing them in back-to-back games, has failed to deliver positive results so far. Despite the injuries, Ballmer is committed to his two star players, but this may prove to be a wrong move. The two superstars have player options for the 2024-25 season, which they may decline to become free agents after the end of the 2023-24 season. Leonard will soon be 32, and George will turn 33 in early May, and with their clocks ticking, it is crucial for the LA Clippers to determine their long-term future. "Despite these latest developments, the Clippers remain committed toward retaining Leonard and George, according to a person familiar with their thinking that was not authorized to discuss publicly," reported Mark Medina. In conclusion, LA Clippers are determined to give it their best shot with injured superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but it remains to be seen if their commitment to the duo will eventually pay off.