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[Saba Sports News] Lawrence Frank, the president of the Los Angeles Clippers, had a straightforward reply to queries regarding the team’s substantial $152.4 million investment in Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers recently announced Leonard’s 3-year contract extension, which will keep him with the team until the 2026-27 season. This extension comes in lieu of Leonard’s previous $47.8 million player option for the next season.
When ClutchPoints reporter Tomer Azarly questioned the hefty financial commitment to Leonard, especially considering his injury history, Frank’s response was succinct: “Anybody can get injured,” he said, “Not everybody can be a top 5 player.”
Leonard’s availability has been a concern over the past few years, with him not playing more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17. However, this season, the 32-year-old has been relatively healthy, missing just four of the first 36 games and averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals over 32 games.
While Leonard’s injury history is notable, his achievements — including two championships, two Finals MVP awards, and consistent playoff performance when fit — justify the investment. Frank and the Clippers are betting $152 million on Leonard’s health, hoping that the “when healthy” condition does not become a concern.