Did the Los Angeles Clippers make the perfect decision by retaining Kawhi Leonard? Well, launching this question out in the open could lead to a huge debate. This is because the NBA world has opposing opinions. One side is congratulating the team on giving The Klaw another chance amidst his injuries. Meanwhile, the other side sees no logic behind waiving Paul George and retaining a non-performing hooper. And well, it looks like some big names of the sport are on the “other side” of the plank.

The situation isn’t particularly great for the Clippers or Leonard. Ex-NBA stars (read: legends) aren’t in favor of Kawhi’s retention. While some are choosing a mild tone to address the matter, the likes of Shannon Sharpe aren’t buying it, at all. But, let’s go one step at a time. The Boston Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce addressed the injury-stricken Kawhi Leonard’s scene in the league.

Pierce said: “If I’m Kawhi, man, I’m doing everything in my ability to come back. I’m serious- at the back, of my head, I’m like ‘Man I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep going under the knife. I can’t keep going through rehab’… I’d be bearing down mentally if I had to go through this many injuries. I just keep fighting back, and then I’m getting older down too.” Here the ex-Celtics star very clearly talked about a hooper’s psychology while being benched or in rehab. For someone like the Klaw who’s been in and out for the last five years due to one physical issue after another, things most definitely are harder. And here, we’re not even mentioning the age factor for now.

Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett talked about basketball players getting a curtain call on their careers. “If Kawhi came out and said he was done I wouldn’t even feel any type of way. I’d be actually happy because it’s hard to watch him with the back and forth. Every time the Clippers team up man, I look for him to be back and he’s on the bench. I just feel bad for him,” Garnett noted. Most of Kawhi Leonard’s fans can relate to KG’s emotions, this is because of the quality of the game the 33-year-old brings to the court. However, to watch him benched repeatedly and the uncertainty of return is undoubtedly disheartening.

Former NBA champions are hinting that Kawhi Leonard should consider retiring, but with the Clippers recently extending his contract, the small forward doesn’t appear to be leaving the league anytime soon. As of now, there are no retirement plans in sight. However, ex-NFL star and podcast host Shannon Sharpe has some blunt thoughts to share about the 2x NBA champ’s future.

“Makes no sense” – Shannon Sharpe questions Clippers choice of keeping Kawhi Leonard on extension

As we said, not everybody has a kind word or two for Kawhi Leonard or the LA Clippers. One such critic is the NFL giant-turned-podcast host Shannon Sharpe. The 56-year-old is a certified LeBron James fan. But, that’s beside the point, he was upset by the fact that TV presenter Kenny Smith compared James and the Klaw’s athleticism in one of the games. Sharpe recalled the moment and said, “Kawhi Leonard has never been a better player than LeBron James. Never. You take Kawhi at his absolute apex and he’s never been better than LeBron. Never.” Look, be it performance or fitness, there can be no comparison between the King and Kawhi Leonard.

But the fact that the Clippers are holding on to the 33-year-old small forward, is the main matter of concern for everyone. However, Sharpe’s blunt and angry reaction to the situation will surely make you think, about how bad is it. He said: “The Clippers signed Kawhi to a 3-year $153M contract extension in January when they decided to bet a few months of sustained health would continue when the literally years of evidence suggest otherwise. So he’s making 53M a year.” He continued: “You have a five-year sample size right of Kawhi Leonard’s injured knees failing. That’s not a one month, that’s not a six month. That’s not a one or two-year- you have a five-year sample size and you gave him 51M and you trying to lowball Paul George!”

In the last season, PG averaged 22.6PPG in the 74 games he played while Kawhi averaged 23.7PPG in 68 matches. You may wonder if the Klaw has better stats, but that’s also not a matter of concern. What’s worrying the fans is the fact that Kawhi Leonard’s court presence is uncertain. Injuries have marred his last five seasons while Paul George has been a proven key in the games. Thus, Shannon Sharpe is upset that the front office may have missed an opportunity to retain a player who is fit compared to their benched star.

As of now, Kawhi Leonard’s knee surgery and inflammation in the same has pushed back his return dates. This means, there is obscurity over his comeback in the Clippers jersey. So, experts in the game are simply putting forward the retirement idea. But the question is, will Kawhi Leonard walk away from the court or be around until 2027 at least?