Some players are not comfortable with the idea of coming off the bench under any circumstance, even if it makes more sense.
L.A. Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard is apparently not one of those players. According to league insider Chris Haynes, the Clippers have flirted with the idea of not playing Leonard in the starting lineup to begin the 2022-23 season.
Leonard has started every NBA game he has played since Nov. 10, 2013.
But he missed all of last season due to a partially torn ACL, and he played just 16 minutes during both of his appearances in the preseason. The strategy to bring him back off the bench is to ease him back into the regular season.
Los Angeles Clippers have been considering the possibility of bringing Kawhi Leonard off the bench to start the season in order to manage his minutes, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 20, 2022
Leonard is the player most people think of when they hear the phrase “load management” used in the NBA, so this is a continuation of that.
Before you rush to make a bet on Leonard to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year, it is worth acknowledging that even if this happens, this is likely only a temporary decision for the Clippers.
But if it keeps his legs fresh for the postseason, it would be worth it for the Clippers, who are considered among the favorites to win the championship this season. It would be their first title in franchise history.
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