Six-time All-NBA LA Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard has a history of being less-than-available for his teams.
The 6-foot-7 San Diego State swingman, 34, has missed an average of 24.3 games a night since his championship 2018-19 Toronto Raptors season. That year marked the origin of his “load management” era, when teams began consciously, strategically resting Leonard to try to preserve his body for the playoffs.
More news:Clippers HC Doesn't Know if Kawhi Leonard Will Play Back-to-Backs This Year
Generally speaking, that approach hasn’t really worked.
Since he signed on with his hometown Clippers in 2019, Leonard has only been available for LA in the postseason exactly twice, having been or gotten hurt in LA’s other three postseason runs.
Although Leonard now finds himself in hot water thanks to a questionable sponsorship with fraudulent tree-planting company Aspiration, there’s no question when it comes to his ability on the court. Issues arise, however, regarding his commitment to the cause.
During a new appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s podcast “7PM in Brooklyn,” ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith humorously lashed out at Leonard for his frequent absenteeism.
"Mr. Load Management,” Smith called Leonard. “That brother is a two-time champion and a two-time Finals MVP, but he's really the champion at getting days off. Ain't nobody done this s— better than him. People think that I’m insulting him… I’m marveling at his a–. I’m like, ‘How does he do it? How?’ This cat will go on the court and drop 38 on you, walk off the court perfectly fine, and the next day [the Clippers will announce], ‘He’s not available.’ Well what happened?"
In the 37 regular season games Leonard did play last year, he averaged 21.5 points on .498/.411/.810 shooting splits, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.5 blocks a night. Led by 11-time All-Star point guard James Harden and All-Defensive Team center Ivica Zubac, the Clippers still managed to win 50 games. LA pushed the shallower Denver Nuggets to seven games in the first round of the playoffs - with a healthy Leonard in tow.
“I’ve never seen anything like him,” Smith continued. “I mean, this dude is a real, real professional at getting days off. I ain’t never seen no s— like it man. It’s gotten to the point where I would want to sit down and talk with him, and be like, ‘How do you do it? Can you teach us how we can get some time off and get paid?'”
This summer, the Clippers brought in several aging former All-Stars to shore up their depth around their core of Harden, Leonard and Zubac, led by 40-year-old point guard Chris Paul, 32-year-old shooting guard Bradley Beal, and 37-year-old center Brook Lopez. LA also traded to acquire big man John Collins. In theory, this roster has the tools and talent to compete under head coach Tyronn Lue - but Smith is skeptical that Harden will be able to survive the playoffs without submitting the kind of series-losing moments he has become oft-derided for over the years.
“If James Harden shows up, Clippers could win a ‘chip [championship],” Smith said. “He just picks and chooses, ‘Alright, I don’t feel like playing this Game 6 of 7.’ I mean damn. I ain’t making it up, y’all!”
For all the latest NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.