The Toronto Raptors are preparing for a brutal slate of back-to-back games, and Kawhi Leonard is questionable for Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Toronto turns around Wednesday night to take on the Golden State Warriors.
Additionally, Lou Williams of the Clippers is questionable, while Luc Mbah a Moute and Jerome Robinson are out.
#Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard is QUESTIONABLE vs. the #Clippers with a bruised right hip, per the team. Toronto is in the first half of a back-to-back as they take on the #Warriors tomorrow night.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 11, 2018
It is highly unlikely that we will see Leonard play on Tuesday and Wednesday. He hasn't played both legs of a back-to-back once this season. After his injury woes in San Antonio, Toronto has been extremely careful with its superstar's health. First, they want to make sure he's fresh for the entire season.
But moreover, they want to make sure Leonard is content in Toronto. They took a chance by trading for Leonard without any guarantee that he would re-sign with the Raptors. Ironically enough, Leonard is playing in a pivotal contract year, but it's the Raptors who stand to lose the most.
Leonard is a lock to sign a max contract next summer, but the Raptors are not a lock to be the team he signs with. For that reason alone, proceeding with caution when it comes to Leonard's health is the best course of action.
Additionally, the Raptors will need to have a strong showing in the postseason to convince the superstar to stay. If he's not 100 percent healthy when the playoffs begin, the Raps may not have enough firepower to make a deep playoff run.
Keeping Kawhi Leonard fresh is nothing new. It's a smart move.
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