The LA Clippers won't be whole while Kawhi Leonard rehabs his knee, but they sure seem to be getting a lot closer to that mark with the latest news regarding Serge Ibaka.

Ibaka has spent the last several weeks, including all of training camp, going through non-contact drills and workouts. The 12-year NBA veteran underwent season-ending back surgery on June 10th, during the Clippers playoff run, following repeated issues with nerves in his back.

On Monday, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said Ibaka was cleared for contact for the first time and was inching closer to a return.

“He's doing good,” Tyronn Lue told members of the media pregame. “I think today he got cleared for contact, so we're gonna ease him in as slow as possible and make sure he's healthy. That's a good sign for us that he's able to get back on track, get on the floor, and take some contact.”

Serge Ibaka was seen doing light pick-and-roll drills and standstill jump-shooting, among other drills during the team's camp in San Diego.

Ibaka only played 41 regular season and two playoff games for the Clippers last year as he dealt with the back issue. He tried to tough it out through the early parts of the season, but was eventually shut down on March 14th to rehab the injury. He returned exactly two months later on May 14th, but was only able to play four games before being sidelined again in Game 2 of the first round.

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Ibaka spoke to members of the media on Media Day, explaining why he picked up his player option and returned to Los Angeles.

“I didn't think twice because I'm the kind of person where I don't give up,” Ibaka said. “I feel like I have unfinished business here, and I want to show the Clippers fans the Serge Ibaka they were looking for. What they wanted to see, I feel like I didn't give that last year. I was like, you know what, I'm going to — I have to finish the job I wanted to start.

“It was not easy personally, but at the end of the day this is a great organization and a great team, so why not?”

In his first year with the Clippers, Serge Ibaka averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. Whenever he's available he make his season debut, it'll be behind starting center Ivica Zubac.