After almost five days of holding off his decision, Kawhi Leonard is now with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The reigning Finals MVP left the Toronto Raptors after just one season to head back to LA. What's more stunning is that minutes after he joined the Clippers, it was announced that the team has also traded for Paul George. The team became an instant title contender, and Leonard is the best player on this team. He is expected to bring multiple championships to the franchise, and barring any injuries, the Clippers will be very, very good for years.
What will Leonard do in his first season with the Clippers? Let's take a look at some possibilities.
He will win regular season MVP
Leonard has won two championships, two Finals MVPs, two Defensive Player of the Year honors, and has been selected to the All-NBA teams multiple times. But as good as he's been over the past four years, he's never won the regular season MVP.
One can argue that Leonard doesn't really need it, but if he wins next season's MVP award, he will further solidify his legacy as one of the best players in the history of the NBA.
The only main concern here is Kawhi's load management situation. Last season, he sat out in 22 games for the Raptors due to rest, but that is understandable because he was coming off a serious injury a year before. His long-term health will be the priority of the Clippers next season and beyond.
Do not be surprised if he averages close to 28 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
He will lead the Clippers to the best record in the West
The Clippers are stacked with players who can dominate on both ends of the floor. Not only do they have Leonard and George as their primary options, but they also have the greatest sixth man in NBA history in Lou Williams, defense-minded guard Patrick Beverley, versatile forward Montrezl Harrell, and young sharpshooter Landry Shamet. Anything outside the first or second seed in the West will be considered an underachievement.
Even if the Clippers were only able to land Leonard in free agency, his presence alone would have made them a title contender. With George on the team, Kawhi will have some help, but when the stakes are high, Leonard will to take over.
Leonard will lead the Clippers to a championship
The Clippers are a very deep team. No one in the league can match up with them in terms of overall talent aside from maybe the Milwaukee Bucks. L.A. will win the championship next season.
Fans of the Los Angeles Lakers will be furious about that statement, but it is true. The Clippers are a better team at the moment, and if they meet in the conference finals, the Clips will probably win.
The Lakers have LeBron James and Anthony Davis, plus Kyle Kuzma… and little else. Moreover, the Purple and Gold have an aging roster, and while they do have more championship experience, the Clippers' suffocating defense and stamina will ultimately prove decisive in an L.A. showdown.
If the Clips face the Bucks in the Finals, Kawhi has already shown he can shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now that he is with a better team, Milwaukee will not stand a chance.
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