NBA insider views Clippers as '20-win' team amid Kawhi Leonard's injury troubles and James Harden steering ship
NBA insider Tom Haberstroh predicts a rocky 2024-25 season for the LA Clippers with Kawhi Leonard facing yet another injury setback and James Harden left to carry the team.
The Yahoo! writer shared his insights during his appearance on "The Kevin O'Connor Show" on Thursday, underscoring how things are not looking up for the Clippers ahead of their campaign, which will see them play for the first time in their new home of Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Haberstroh said:
"This is bad vibes all around... It looks like the Clippers are going to have an all-time terrible opening for their new arena. James Harden may average 30 points a game on a 20-win team. That's what we're looking at right now."
Check out what he had to say below, beginning at 0:31:
The Clippers were looking to get more from Kawhi Leonard, along with Harden, this season after Paul George decided to leave and sign with the Philadelphia 76ers in the offseason.
On Thursday, however, it was reported that Leonard would be out indefinitely as he rehabilitates from inflammation in his right knee. The development was a continuation of what has been a tough stretch for the two-time NBA Finals MVP, which also saw him back out from Team USA for the Paris Olympics in the hopes of keeping him fit for the long term.
Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $149.5-million extension with the Clippers earlier this year. The 2024-25 NBA season will be his sixth in Los Angeles.
LA Clippers being cautious with current injury of Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard suffered an early setback for the 2024-25 NBA season as he is out indefinitely to deal with a right knee injury. The LA Clippers, however, have his back in what is another tough stretch for him, choosing to be patient and cautious with the situation.
Clippers coach Ty Lue shared the approach that they are taking on the current injury their All-Star forward is dealing with, highlighting the importance of not rushing his return.
The coach said (via ESPN):
"[There is] no timeline. Like we said from day one, it is going to take some time. He's going to progress, he's doing all the right things, he's working hard and he's looking good... It was a setback, so that was unfortunate."
Leonard did not play in the Clippers' preseason campaign. Last season, he played in 68 games, averaging a team-high 23.7 points to go along with 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 34.3 minutes.
Injury, however, kept him to just two games in the postseason, forcing him to watch on the sidelines as the Clippers fell to the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round.
With Leonard expected to be out at the start of the new season, the Clippers will turn to James Harden to steer the ship. They start their campaign on Oct. 23 at home against the Phoenix Suns.