KEY POINTS

  • Kawhi Leonard may look at options in the offseason if the Clippers fail to finish strong this year
  • Pundits claim Leonard is intrigued about possibly joining the Miami Heat
  • The Clippers' campaign is not looking good with several key players dealing with injuries

The Los Angeles Clippers continue to struggle with Kawhi Leonard trying to hold up the fort.

Team stars like Paul George have been hit by injuries, making it much harder for Tyronn Lue to lead the team to an NBA title.

For now, anything can happen. But at the end of the season, Los Angeles needs to deal with reality and this includes possibly losing Leonard to other teams.

Most were expecting the two-time NBA champion to spearhead the Clippers to an NBA title, but such has not happened as of this writing. Unless the team finds a way to get its act together, the outlook does not look promising.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that there is that possibility that Leonard may listen to pitches in the offseason. According to some pundits, one team that may intrigue the two-time NBA Finals MVP is the Miami Heat.

Somehow it makes sense considering Leonard could join a team with a young core and a bonafide superstar in Jimmy Butler.

If Heat president Pat Riley finds a way to get Leonard to the fold, the stock of Miami will undoubtedly rise to astronomical levels.

Most know that the team managed to make the NBA Finals last season despite no one giving them a chance. They made a good account for themselves with Butler leading a bunch of young stars to a surprising last dance with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers of the LA Clippers dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 15, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

For now, it would be best to take this with a grain of salt. The reality is that Leonard is on an expiring deal and there is no promise that he will return for Los Angeles next season.

A lot of that hinges on their postseason performance with most seeing it as an uphill climb for the Clippers.

It will not be easy with players like George, Serge Ibaka and Patrick Beverly dealing with injuries.

As mentioned in a previous post, George may have to play on managed minutes as he deals with right foot soreness the has hampered his ability to go all out.

George and the Clipper are still trying to figure out the best course of action, and this will figure heavily on how Lue and company may end their 2020-21 season.

Falling short anew may have dire implications–particularly concerning the future of Leonard.

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