[brid autoplay=”true” video=”816273″ player=”23231″ title=”Top%20NBA%20free%20agents%20of%202021″ duration=”53″ description=”Unlike last offseason, we’re going to see a ton of top end NBA free agents in 2021. Players like future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard and Chris Paul will likely opt out of their contracts and hit the open market.Meanwhile, there’s a large amount of talented youngsters set to become restricted free agents. That list includes Atlanta Hawks big man John Collins and Lonzo Ball of the New Orleans Pelicans.” uploaddate=”2021-06-29″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/816273_t_1624987441.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/816273.mp4″]
The Los Angeles Clippers were being tight-lipped about the extent of the knee injury Kawhi Leonard suffered during the NBA Playoffs.
Initial reports indicated that the Clippers feared Leonard suffered an ACL injury. Despite this, he was continued to be listed as questionable throughout Los Angeles’ Western Conference Finals series against the Phoenix Suns.
Now comes this report from Shams Charania of The Athletic indicating that Kawhi Leonard had surgery to repair a partially torn right ACL.
For their part, the Clippers released a statement regarding the surgery.
“Kawhi Leonard underwent successful surgery today to repair a partial tear of his right anterior cruciate ligament. There’s no timetable for his return,” the press release read.
To say that this is some absolutely huge news with NBA free agency slated to get going in less than a month is an understatement. Leonard, 30, will likely opt out of his $36.02 million contract for next season and hit the open market.
While rumors persist that Leonard will ultimately re-sign with the Clippers, there’s no telling how this might impact things. Heck, he might now simply decide to opt into his contract now that the two-time NBA Finals MVP will miss the start of the 2021-22 season, at the very least.