Kendrick Perkins Urges Kawhi Leonard to Bail on the Clippers as Paul George’s Decision Leaves Franchise in Turmoil

Paul George is headed to Philly to join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, returning to the Eastern Conference. The Los Angeles Clippers on the other hand have made a few notable signings to bring in free agent Kevin Porter Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. from the Dallas Mavericks. However, the big question is, ‘What’s next for Kawhi Leonard?‘, who has had the same outcome as George with the Clippers. Here is what former Boston Celtics star Kendrick Perkins is suggesting, which involves a chaotic change of scenario for the LA unit in the upcoming years. 

Kawhi Leonard has a few solid seasons left in the NBA, although his continuous injury during the playoffs has been a concern. This is a crucial time for him to decide on his future and Perkins is asking the 2x champion to move out of the Clipper nation. On ESPN’s NBA Today, Perkins revealed, “If I’m Kawhi Leonard, I would ask to get out of there…He knows what a championship team looks like. That’s not one of them.”

“Kawhi Leonard has not been available. I know it’s just not the time… They might have to reconsider who their next superstar’s gonna be and probably go into rebuild mode,” said Perkins. Leonard has played five seasons with the Clippers. He just signed a three-year extension with the Clippers in January for a total of $149,505,800. 

This will give Leonard an annual salary of 49,835,267 until the end of the 2027 season. The 33-year-old will be a free agent only after three seasons. However, he can request a trade like Perkins suggested, if he is not too happy about the recent signings by the Clippers. At least Perkins is not a fan of it! 

Kendrick Perkins mocks the Clippers on their replacement for Paul George 

Perkins stated, “When you look at who they have replaced Paul George with, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., who’s the kid, Kris Dunn, like are you serious? Where you going with that? Besides the play-in tournament and battling to get into a playoff spot and going home in the first round.” 

Clearly, Perkins did not hold back on the Clippers. However, he has a point here. Paul George’s absence is a big seat to fill in. The above signing might not replace his presence on the court. There is a long way to go and the only answer right now is to sign a superstar. 

If not, Kawhi Leonard might be forced to ask for a trade. Several teams were interested in signing Leonard during 2021 when he was due for a new contract with the Clippers. The Mavericks, the Heat, and the Knicks were a few of them. It remains to see who it could be in future if Leonard opts out of LA. 

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video: