Coming off an NBA season in which they made their first-ever appearance in the Western Conference Finals, there is a lot to be hopeful about if you are an LA Clippers fan, but at the same time, this team is going to have to achieve success without Kawhi Leonard.
In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Utah Jazz, Leonard injured his right knee with a handful of minutes left in the fourth quarter and while the injury was downplayed by him and the Clippers’ medical staff at first, it was later revealed that the 2x Finals MVP suffered a partially torn ACL and would undergo surgery following the end of the season.
Kawhi had surgery on July 14 and he has done great so far in his recovery process, but he is still a long way away from returning to action. On Media Day, head coach Ty Lue gave some updates on his superstar forward, but did not lay out a potential return date.
To be a championship contender in the Western Conference, the LA Clippers will need Leonard, but they should be in good hands without him. Paul George is a multi-time All-Star in his own right and Reggie Jackson also came on strong for this team late in the season last year.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This 76ers-Wizards Trade Is Focused On Bradley Beal
With additions of Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, and Terance Mann continuing to improve, the Clippers should once again be a top-tier team in the Western Conference, but this does not mean they will not look to add more talent.
The Lakers, Suns, Jazz, Nuggets, and others are still top-tier teams in the Western Conference and this Clippers team may need to add that third All-Star talent to finally have a chance to win a title.
Bradley Beal is committed to the Washington Wizards and the Wizards have shot down all trade talks revolving around their All-Star, but if Washington is struggling by midseason, it may not be crazy to believe that the superstar shooting guard could want out.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: This 76ers-Wizards Trade Is Focused On Bradley Beal
Coming to Los Angeles to play with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, when he returns from his knee injury, could create one of the best trios in the league and give the LA Clippers that extra bit of talent they need to possibly win a title.
It would not be easy, but let’s take a look at a hypothetical trade scenario proposed by Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz that sends Beal to L.A.
