Kawhi Leonard's potential return in the offseason has been a major talking point in recent days after he was spotted shooting during a Los Angeles Clippers practice. However, head coach Ty Lue doesn't want to get the fans' hopes up.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Lue confirmed that Leonard has not progressed beyond individual workouts this season. He added that the Clippers superstar wasn't even able to do anything 3-on-3 beyond, indicating that he is still far from his rehab process (via Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints).

Kawhi Leonard has been recovering from a torn right ACL that needed surgery. He sustained the issue during the 2021 playoffs, and so he has been out for the Clippers for the entirety of the 2021-22 campaign.

Given his current condition and level of progression, Leonard seems unlikely to return. The Clippers have already remained patient about their star, so it doesn't make sense for them to rush him back and play him if he's not 100 percent and there is no longer the risk of him reinjuring his ACL.

But then again, as Ty Lue mentioned recently as well, he is not shutting the door on a potential return for Leonard in the playoffs. While he would want a player to first suit up in a regular season game instead of playing in the postseason right from the start, he admitted that he won't stop anyone if they have been cleared and they want to get into action.

“If it were up to me, I would say yes (to shutting them down if they can’t play a regular season game) because to hit the playoffs going at 100, from zero to 100, that is pretty tough. But if the medical guys say they are cleared and they are able to do that, that is totally up to them,” Lue said.

The Clippers are set to participate in the play-in tournament after ending up with the eighth seed in the West. They'll be playing the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round, and the winner of the New Orleans Pelicans-San Antonio Spurs game in the second if they lose to Wolves.

LA has a good chance to make the playoffs with Paul George back, and sure enough, a lot of fans are hoping Leonard can return, too.