I have already seen this film. After weeks of trying to make light of the matter and saying he should be ready for the start of the season, Kawhi Leonard will begin the season with no clear date for his return. He announced that Shams Charania, Journalist ESPNThis ensures that the striker will work to rehabilitate his right knee, which is currently suffering from inflammation, and on this basis he will assess when he is ready to return.
The worst thing about this situation is the feeling that it is nothing new and that anyone who has closely experienced Kawhi’s situation throughout his career could see the clues coming. Everything began to look bad in the run-up to the Olympics, when the United States medical services ruled out his presence despite wanting to take part and the Clippers themselves assured that he was prepared. Shortly afterwards, however, it was learned that he had undergone knee surgery in the month of May, from which he had not yet fully recovered, proving that he was right with the national team
Nevertheless, the theoretical goal was still to prepare for the start of the course, which was also unofficially ruled out a few days ago. And now not only has the official flight taken place, but it also suggests that the situation will continue for a long time and that we could spend several weeks, perhaps even longer, without Kawhi. Because it wouldn’t be the first time that a seemingly insignificant injury ended up lasting for months and ended up leaving the player on the bench for the entire season.
This leaves the Clippers in a sort of limbo where it’s hard to know what to expect. The team seems destined to commit to a Harden who isn’t who he was, hoping to stay alive while waiting for a return from Leonard that we don’t know when is. And on top of that, OKC controls its 2025 pick in such a way that there’s not even a chance to dream of Cooper Flagg if things go too far.
(Titelfoto: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)