It hasn’t been the smoothest offseason for the Golden State Warriors with their lingering Jonathan Kuminga drama. However, they’ll at the very least say they do not have the identical issues that their rivals, the Los Angeles Clippers, have this summer time.
The Clippers are underneath investigation for alleged wage cap circumvention attributable to having paid star Kawhi Leonard as much as $50 million off the books. If confirmed true, then they could possibly be in for a world of damage. Warriors followers like to see it.
Whereas followers seemingly are at their wits’ finish as a result of ever-changing information involving Kuminga, they’ll at the very least say that Golden State is not prone to shedding all the things. The Clippers could possibly be stripped of all of their remaining first-round picks, as much as 5 picks.
If that occurs, then they may not have a choose for the subsequent eight years. Then there’s what might occur with Leonard.
The Golden State Warriors can not help however snicker on the Clippers
The Clippers actually risked all the things to carry Leonard in and have solely a visit to the Western Convention Finals to point out for it. Examine that to the Warriors, who’ve 4 championships and 6 journeys to the NBA Finals within the final 10 years.
The Clippers have not had wherever close to that stage of success over their 55-year historical past. They’ve arguably been the worst staff in NBA historical past, and but they’re someway simply now flirting with hitting all-time low.
It is even potential that the staff they constructed round Leonard could possibly be in danger if the league opts to void his contract. That will be the icing on the cake for Golden State, who would like to land Leonard if that have been to occur.
The Warriors may gain advantage from the Clippers’ misfortune
The Warriors would not be alone in hoping that Leonard turns into accessible through the season. If he does, then he might doubtlessly signal with Golden State, which is about 4 hours away from Los Angeles.
They seemingly could not hold him in the long run. However, bringing him in on a one-year deal and pairing him with Jimmy Butler, Steph Curry, and Draymond Inexperienced might give them the right alternative to win one more championship within the Clippers’ faces. Nonetheless, a number of shifting elements must occur for that to develop into a actuality.
First, the league must discover wrongdoing that will rise to the extent of voiding Leonard’s contract. Second, the Warriors must beat out the opposite groups hoping to land Leonard subsequent season to make it worthwhile.
In that state of affairs, the Warriors would doubtlessly have lower than half a season with Leonard to make it work. Nevertheless, that will be a superb drawback in the event that they someway received their fingers on Leonard.
Finally, the Clippers’ misfortunes seemingly put issues in perspective for the Warriors and their followers. The Warriors are nonetheless attempting to type out the Kuminga standoff, however they’re in an infinitely higher state of affairs than the Clippers presently discover themselves in.