NBA star Kawhi Leonard has been among the most exciting players throughout his illustrious career. However, severe injuries have kept him on the sidelines a lot in the past few years. NBA legends Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett recently spoke about Leonard’s situation.
Pierce and Garnett said they were concerned about Leonard’s injury history and urged the two-time Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) to take a call on his future. The concern comes after Leonard withdrew from the Paris Olympics and underwent his third knee surgery in four years.
Additionally, NBA reporter Shams Charania recently said that Leonard may not be fit at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Think about how many years we’ve been talking about, or seeing him go through. Clean outs or surgeries or sitting out… It’s like it’s going to get to the point man, you will not be able to save your legs for after you retire.
Paul Pierce said on the All the Smoke podcast
“It’s gonna get to the point where you wanna be able to save your legs for after you retire… you should really think about the future.”
KG and Paul discuss steps forward for Kawhi Leonard following his latest injury setback. pic.twitter.com/r0IO6spyFF
— All the Smoke Productions (@allthesmokeprod) September 28, 2024
Leonard is a crucial player for the Clippers and his absence at the start of the 2024-25 NBA season will surely be a huge miss for his team. It remains to be seen when Leonard returns to the court in the upcoming season.
Stephen Curry showcases support for an injured Kawhi Leonard
After Kawhi Leonard pulled out of Team USA for the Paris Olympics, Stephen Curry offered some insight. He supported his teammate’s decision and acknowledged that it was probably a difficult one. Boston Celtics guard Derrick White replaced the Los Angeles Clippers star in the squad.
Kawhi (Leonard) gave it everything he had when he was preparing and those last three days of camp there was, you know, the conversation mutually between USA leadership and Kawhi and his team just to make sure he was set up for success… But, hopefully, for the long term, you know, he’s in a good place because the game needs him. And when he’s not out there, you know, you miss an all-time great player.
Stephen Curry told the media during the Paris Olympics
Injuries have plagued Leonard over the last seven seasons. Without him, the Clippers were unable to go far in the playoffs in the previous two seasons. The 33-year-old’s decision to withdraw from the Olympic team has raised questions about his long-term health.
