Why “fear” dived right away from the beginning of the mandate of Kavhi Leonard

Kavhi Leonard‘s Signing with Los Angeles Scissors in 2019 years marked a turning point for a franchise but The excitement is accompanied by anxiety It has been retained since. ESPNs Bacter Holmes reported on Wednesday that fear quickly became embedded in the organization as he defeated Leonard’s arrival, his health and the price she paid to pay.

The Clippers are Completed Huge Trade for Paul George To pair him with Leonard, sending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five pieces of first district and two replacements in Oklahoma City. Holmes reported that owner Steve Ballmer They are worried about dealing with so much of the team, the concern they shared others in the front office.

The staff also drew comparisons with Brooklyn Nets’ 2013 Shop with BostonWhen the Celtici gained a draft property for Paul Pierce Pierce and Kevin Garnett. That move eventually shipped Jaison Tatum and Jailen Brown, who led Boston to the title 2024while Brooklyn failed to counter. The bars also fought left to Gilgeous-Alexandra, who only earned comprehensive recognition and show signs of star potential. He turned on to catch the MVP League and The Finals of the MVP honors while led by the Thunderstorm in the Championship Last season.

Leonard confirmed his commitment to sliders late 5. July 2019. years, and within a minute, news about George Trade appeared. Four days later Leonard signed a three-year, $ 103.1 million of contracts with the player option. While the organization celebrated, Holmes reported that the skilled feeling had already been set up: fear of what could happen if Leonard or his camp felt dissatisfied.

Fear over the future Kavhi Leonardo quickly defined Clippers Culture

That uneasily showed up early. 6. November 2019. Leonard bounded against Milvaukee for load management. When the river told reporters of Leonard, “the League was” league next day Cancelled Clippers, revealing that he was managed by a paterlar tendon injury.

“The league office looked at it, and (Reporter) was right,” said one source of ESPN. “The strength of the injury to the Cavium was more significant than the team let.”

She rattled the organization finely. The bars watched that Leonard’s separated from San Antonio took place after disagreement on how to manage long-term injuries, and the staff feared that history could be repeated.

“Spurs may have been the most respected, most important Pro Sports team in America,” said one former ESPN staff. “It was like this guy was ready to tell those to look out, it couldn’t be afraid to tell us to go to myself. … Everyone was afraid of Kavhi.”

To avoid conflict, the sliders worked on maintaining leonard medical information closely kept. Multiple sources said that ESPN said that even medical team staff had limited involvement, while public comments on Leonard were very ventilated, sometimes with entering their uncle, Dennis Robertson.

“It was obviously increased sensitivity,” said one staff. “Everyone was so upright.”

In the ESPN statement, the sliders praised the contributions of Leonard and resilience despite injuries. But Holmes reported that in a franchise, fear in culture shaped from the day Leonard arrived – and continues to be the shadow of his mandate.