Photo Credit: Ben Margot/AP

Kendrick Perkins: The Clippers Need Rajon Rondo Because Kawhi Leonard Is Not A Leader

The past season was certainly not the season Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers had expected prior to the start. Lauded as the best team in the West, the Clippers fell off and left the playoffs in disappointing fashion.

The second-round collapse could be attributed to the many red flags they were facing all year – one of which was lacking a complete floor general. While Patrick Beverley brings defense and energy, and Reggie Jackson could tally the scoring table, neither of the two developed a decent reputation as a leader or floor general.

Due to this glaring issue, the Clippers are showing interest in Rajon Rondo who impressed in the playoffs with his floor general qualities for the Lakers. Former Celtics defensive center and now-NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins now elaborated why the Clippers desperately need to make it happen, while also claiming that Kawhi Leonard isn’t a leader.

“Steve Ballmer and Lawrence Frank, if you knew better you’d do better. You’ll be at Rondo front door. The Clippers are missing a leader. Kawhi Leonard is not a leader, he’s a hell of a basketball player but he’s not a leader. When you look at him, when he played with the Raptors, Kyle Lowry was the leader.

“… When I looked in the bubble and I watched the Clippers play, Kawhi Leonard had to do too much… You need a guy like Rajon Rondo, who’s the ultimate floor general that could get guys into their spots. He puts the key in guys back… They need Rajon Rondo like old people need soft shoes.”