After successfully completing a full playoff series without injury for the first time in four years, Kawhi Leonard appears poised to enter his 14th <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA season in strong condition. On Saturday, Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank shared an optimistic update regarding Leonard’s offseason health, emphasizing the significance of the star forward’s recovery as the team gears up for 2025.
Leonard’s career postseason impact with the Clippers has been hampered by injuries since his 2019 NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a partially torn right ACL in June 2021, which sidelined him for the entire following season. Additional setbacks included a torn right meniscus in April 2023 and inflammation in the right knee that affected his playoff availability in 2024 and delayed the start of the current 2024-25 season.
Lawrence Frank Highlights Leonard’s Encouraging Progress and Work Ethic
During Saturday’s media session, Frank praised Leonard’s physical and mental state as the offseason begins, noting that this is a rare period for the player to recover without needing surgery. Frank remarked on Leonard’s dedication both on the court and in recovery, describing his planned offseason schedule and ongoing training efforts.
One, he’s healthy, which it’s not just a physical thing, it’s also a mental and emotional thing to go into an offseason without having surgery. So, he feels great, he’s been working extremely hard, and he has some trips lined up. He’ll be going to Africa at the end of the month. He continues to work; we’ll be sending a coach with him.
—Lawrence Frank, Clippers President of Basketball Operations
New Roster Additions and Leonard’s Role in the Upcoming Season
Frank also expressed Leonard’s enthusiasm for contributing to a revamped Clippers roster, which now includes key new players Bradley Beal, Brook Lopez, and John Collins. Their arrivals are expected to complement Leonard’s skill set and provide fresh strategic opportunities.
He’s super excited about the roster, he’s super excited about the season, and he’s super excited that he’s gonna be able to begin at training camp,
Frank stated.
Following a 50-win season, the Clippers aim to compete seriously for home-court advantage in the 2025 playoffs. Lopez is anticipated to bring valuable rim protection and floor spacing, while Collins will add diversity to the frontcourt as a strong lob threat. Beal is set to fill the offensive void left by Norman Powell, who was recently traded.
Looking Ahead: The Importance of Leonard’s Health for the Clippers’ Future
Kawhi Leonard’s ability to stay healthy throughout the offseason and into next season will be key for the Clippers’ quest to secure their first postseason series victory since 2021. The combination of Leonard’s readiness and the new roster pieces could position Los Angeles for a significant playoff run in 2025 and beyond.