The What-If Game might not be particularly constructive, but it’s hard not to play.
What if Kawhi Leonard didn’t suffer a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the Western Conference semifinals? What if the Clippers hadn’t been found themselves stuck on a game-every-other-day treadmill for the entire final month of their playoff run?
Would the Clippers have reached an NBA Finals? Might they have won the whole thing?
Leonard reportedly declined the $36 million final year of his contract Sunday, but ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting he plans to negotiate a new deal with L.A., indicating there won’t likely be too many what-ifs regarding his free agency destination. Though it might be fair to wonder whether the five-time All-Star will be as potent a performer when he’s finished rehabbing after his July 13 surgery.
Back on June 30, the night Tyronn Lue’s short-handed, playoff-weary team bowed out against Phoenix in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, the coach admitted: “Oh yeah, you always think about it … what could have happened.
“But,” he added, “you’ve just got to move on.”
The moving on began with Thursday’s NBA Draft, followed by the news this weekend that Leonard opted out and center Serge Ibaka opted in, exercising his $9.7 million player option for next season.
On deck: the NBA’s annual free agency frenzy on Monday, when teams can begin negotiating with players at 3 p.m.
The Clippers will have some flexibility in regard to re-signing their own free agents, including Leonard, which is partly why President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank described it as an outright priority when he spoke after the draft.
Beyond that, they’ll have just the $5.9 million mid-level and minimum exceptions available to try to add depth on the wing in support of Paul George, to improve their rebounding and to look for the right fit at point guard.
Who might they target? Perhaps DeMar DeRozan could be persuaded to come home to L.A. to pursue a ring with the Clippers, with whom he’d have a more substantial role — especially in Leonard’s absence — than he would with the Lakers, who are also considered potential suitors.
Other options who might fit include veteran players such as, say, Andre Iguodala or Rudy Gay, or perhaps even former Clippers such as Maurice Harkless and Jeff Green.
KEY FREE AGENTS
Kawhi Leonard (24.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.6 steals) — Leonard said last December “the best decision” would be to decline his player option, indicating the move would make the most financial sense. He’s expected to return to the Clippers, possibly on a two-year deal with a player option worth $80.6 million. He could then decline that option next offseason and possibly secure a contract worth a historically lucrative $235 million over five seasons.
Kawhi Leonard has declined his $36M player option for next season and becomes a free agent, per source. Now, the expectation is that Leonard will negotiate a new deal to stay with Clippers. @ChrisBHaynes first on declining option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
Leonard, who will be 31 and coming off of his second significant injury in his 10-year career, retains leverage: The Clippers mortgaged their future to successfully recruit him in free agency two years ago.
In order to pair him with Paul George, they traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and unprotected first-round picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026 and pick swap rights in 2023 and 2025 to Oklahoma City. The Clippers since have committed $190 million to George over the next five seasons. All that would leave them without a lot of wiggle room to improve if Leonard doesn’t commit long-term.
Last season, Leonard made the All-NBA first team and then, in 11 playoff games, averaged 39.3 minutes, 30.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 57.3% from the field and 39.3% from 3-point range.
The Clippers certainly are committed to Leonard, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said this week, noting that they they’re hopeful for “a very long-term relationship with him.”
Reggie Jackson (10.7 ppg, 3.1 apg, and 2.9 rpg) — “Mr. June” in the playoffs, he averaged 17.8 points per game while shooting 48.4% from the floor and 40.8% from deep. He attributed his emergence to his environment: “Honestly, this team has empowered me.” As an unrestricted free agent in a class deep with guards, it’s tough to gauge how potential suitors will value the postseason heroics of a 31-year-old with a history of injuries. For the Clippers’ part, Frank made it clear they want him back: “Reggie is such a great, great story.” Because Jackson finished his second season in L.A. on a minimum contract, the Clippers have his early Bird rights, so they can offer him a contract in the neighborhood of as much as $47 million for four years.
Nicolas Batum (8.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.0 spg) — An unrestricted free agent, he surprised even himself with his success in his first season with the Clippers, joining them after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets. The 32-year-old Frenchman logged the most minutes on the team (1,835) while his savvy defense, dependable 3-point shooting (40.4%) and unselfish style made him a fan favorite. Asked whether their support might influence his decision, Batum said: “Of course.” But Miami, Golden State and Indiana also reportedly have interest, and Batum is eligible to be retained for only 120% of the league minimum under the non-Bird rights rule — or for about $3.2 million, unless the Clippers use their $5.9 million taxpayer mid-level exception on him. (He’ll still get $9 million from Charlotte next season; maybe that will compel him to consider a lower offer to stick with the organization that helped get his career back on track?)
Others — With Ibaka out with an injured back, the Clippers signed DeMarcus Cousins (7.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg) to two 10-day deals before bringing him on for the rest of the season. Now an unrestricted free agent, his jolts of production and his popularity with teammates could be reason to keep him in the mix … The Clippers extended a qualifying offer to the third-year wing Amir Coffey (3.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg), which made the 24-year-old a restricted free agent eligible for a one-year guaranteed minimum-salary deal. He’ll have competition to make the roster after the Clippers added three players in the draft, trading up for an athletic wing in Tennessee’s Keon Johnson at No. 21 … Patrick Patterson (5.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg) played in only 38 games last season and didn’t appear at all in the postseason. An unrestricted free agent, he’s eligible for an early Bird contract, but it’s unlikely the Clippers would offer that much for an end-of-the-bench resource.
The maximum contract that Leonard could sign with the Clippers is:
4 years- $176M
He could also do a 1+1 and become a FA in 2022 where he could sign a 5 year $235M contract. https://t.co/SFip6GGfdM
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 1, 2021
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