Can the Clippers contend for a title if Kawhi returns for the playoffs?

• Co-author, Pro Basketball Prospectus series
• Formerly a consultant with the Indiana Pacers
• Developed WARP rating and SCHOENE system

Can the LA Clippers successfully run back the bulk of last season’s squad after getting a commitment from two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to re-sign?

Before Leonard went down with a partial ACL tear late in the Clippers’ Game 4 win over the Utah Jazz, they looked like strong contenders to win the Western Conference after rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the first round vs. the Dallas Mavericks and coming back to tie the Utah Jazz 2-2 in a series they’d go on to win without their star.

After undergoing surgery to repair his ACL, Leonard will almost certainly miss at least part of the 2021-22 season and might not return at all. Can the Clippers contend for a championship if Leonard is back for the playoffs? Let’s take a look.

Kawhi’s contract

Although there never seemed to be much doubt Leonard would stay with the Clippers, how he structured his new contract remains an interesting question. Leonard decided to decline a $36 million player option and the possibility of extending his contract off of that, which would have guaranteed him the maximum number of years.

By opting out, Leonard was able to increase his 2021-22 salary to $39.3 million because he now has 10-plus years of experience and is eligible to make up to 35% of the cap as a maximum. Yet he still has a handful of choices he’s deciding between, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

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