OKC Thunder: One free agent target from every Western Conference team

LA Clippers

2021 Free Agents:

• Nicolas Batum
• Amir Coffey (restricted)
• DeMarcus Cousins
• Reggie Jackson
• Kawhi Leonard (player)
• Patrick Patterson

As per Chris Haynes, Kawhi Leonard is expected to decline his player option. Moreover, he says he’ll entertain offers.  That has some in the business scratching their heads yet not surprising given his last free agency when he held three franchises hostage awaiting his decision.

What makes this time confounding is Leonard is off the court following ACL surgery and this decision means the Clippers won’t be able to apply for the disabled player exception (to the tune of $10 million dollars). For a team that has no excess salary to work with that’s significant. Not to mention, the signal it sends the Clippers.

While the Thunder are in rebuild mode Sam Presti like every front office executive would move heaven and earth to add a talent of Leonard’s ilk even while he recuperates from ACL surgery. In the alternate universe where Leonard would even entertain a pitch from OKC, you do it and if successful shift everything to aligning the roster to “win now”. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen.

Not to rub salt in the Clippers’ wound (well actually yeah, pass me the salt shaker) because every little deterrent to LA adding assets is beneficial for the Thunder as they own the Clippers’ unprotected 2022 first-round pick.

So, yeah Kawhi – go see some other teams maybe there is another club you’d like more! Just make sure you give the Clippers the same benefit you gave the Raptors. You know, the team you won your second Finals MVP award with and catered to your every load management need?

That’s right if you didn’t give Toronto a whiff of a sign and trade in the midst of a whole country lining up to feed and house you for free for eternity then make sure the Clippers get the exact same courtesy.

And hey, if you feel so inclined and find yourself missing your pal Alex McKechnie who took such great care of your health he’s still in Toronto as are Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anuoby plus they just added a kid with many of the same qualities you displayed as a rookie. Just saying.

The allure of bringing Serge Ibaka back was strong but then the former OKC Thunder big man removed that possibility when he opted into his final year. Therefore, by process of elimination that leaves Amir Coffey although he’s not someone Intentions would suggest making a big push to add.

As a side note, remember how Paul Geoge kept coming up with different stories on his trade request at one time stating he and Kawhi had discussed this for years? At the time I said he’s over-explaining the situation and why does he keep changing the story? Well, now we know why! Forget about calling Kawhi a cyborg – his nickname should be RUTHLESS!