Kawhi’s injury spells trouble for the Los Angeles Clippers while serving as a boon for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Just two weeks ago, NBA insider Shams Charania revealed that Leonard is sidelined indefinitely due to persistent knee inflammation. The Clippers brought Kawhi in with high hopes of claiming their first Larry O’Brien Trophy, but this latest setback feels particularly grim.
Kawhi’s Injury: Clippers’ Curse, Thunder’s Blessing?
Since signing with the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has struggled with injuries, missing crucial playing time. His absence due to a torn meniscus last postseason kept him off the court to start this season, and let’s not forget he sat out the entire 2021-2022 campaign after partially tearing his ACL. Even when he’s on the court, Kawhi often faces minute restrictions due to “injury management.”
Historically, the Clippers relied on stellar coaching from Tyronn Lue and the support of Paul George to navigate these challenges. However, with George’s recent exit to Philadelphia and backup point guard Russell Westbrook now climbing the Rocky Mountains in Denver, the team’s depth has taken a hit.
Clippers’ general manager Trent Redden was busy this offseason, making a series of moves to rejuvenate the roster post-George. However, despite his efforts, the new signings don’t quite measure up to the losses they’ve suffered. Pinning their hopes on 35-year-old James Harden as the team’s centerpiece? That’s a strategy that could lead to catastrophe.
Defensively, the Clippers have shown promise, but offensively, they’re struggling, ranking among the league’s worst. An aging roster with an injury history that rivals Mr. Glass in a competitive Western Conference isn’t a recipe for success. For the Clippers, this injury saga is a nightmare, but for the Thunder, it’s a dream scenario unfolding.
On the other side, the Thunder are riding high after finishing as the top seed in the Western Conference last season. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander performing at an MVP caliber, OKC appears poised for another strong run. The trade that sent SGA to the Clippers for George continues to haunt LA, especially now that OKC holds an unprotected pick swap from that deal.
As of now, the Thunder are undefeated, and if they keep this momentum going, they’ll likely cash in on that pick swap in the upcoming draft. The pressing question is: how high will they climb? The longer Kawhi remains on the sidelines, the more favorable the odds shift towards the Thunder.
The 2025 NBA Draft is shaping up to be a goldmine of talent, featuring prospects like Duke’s Cooper Flagg. Being a struggling team is bad enough, but to do so without control over your own draft picks? That’s just rubbing salt in the wound.
Meanwhile, Thunder’s architect Sam Presti can rest easy, knowing he has constructed a legitimate title contender with a bright future ahead. Conversely, the Clippers’ front office is left to ponder whether they may have inadvertently paved the way for a dynasty in the making, reminiscent of the Golden State Warriors’ reign in the 2020s.
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