The Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs after the team was sent packing out by the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup.
Injuries ruined what was shaping up to be a promising campaign for the Clippers, who didn’t have Paul George to start their postseason campaign and lost Kawhi Leonard after the first two games of the series.
After their disappointing run, rumors and speculations over the team’s future has now run rampant, and a lot of it has something to do with Leonard, who has battled a number of injuries over the past couple of years.
Leonard has one more guaranteed year left on his contract. Whether Leonard decides to honor his contract or part ways with the team before it runs up remains up in the air. Regardless, NBA analyst Colin Cowherd thinks that Leonard would be better off playing for an established team like the Miami Heat.
“This is perfect, Kawhi isn’t your star. Dallas has one. Philadelphia has one, by the way, Miami has one. … Kawhi comes in, like in San Antonio and Toronto, you don’t build your foundation or your culture around him. He’s a hired guy. Comes in, get a basket, get a stop 50 games a year.”
“Jimmy Butler plays hurt all the time and is available,” Cowherd said as he addressed Kawhi’s situation. “So is Bam (Adebayo). So, if you have an established culture and an established star – preferably one that plays 70 games a year – he’s fine.”
Kawhi Leonard’s next team…the Dallas Mavericks?@ColinCowherd and @jasonrmcintyre discuss what’s next pic.twitter.com/K7EHzpGPT8
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 26, 2023