Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers expressed his frustration with the NBA's new load management policy. During the team's media day, Leonard addressed the criticism associated with his name being associated with load management. The league recently passed a new player participation policy that prevents teams from resting star players during certain situations, such as national televised games or for an extended period during the season. Leonard, who has not played in more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17, clarified that his availability and inconsistent playing time during his championship-winning season with the Toronto Raptors were due to injury, not load management.
He emphasized that if he is able to play, he will play basketball. Since joining the Clippers, Leonard has faced fines and criticisms for resting during national televised games. Injuries have also plagued him, as he suffered an ACL injury during the 2021 playoffs and missed the entire 2021-22 season. Furthermore, he tore the meniscus in his right knee during the Clippers' first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns in April. Leonard clarified that he is not seeking to reach a certain number of games but rather wants to play the games he can play.
He stated that injuries are part of the game and that he is a two-way player who puts in effort on both ends of the court. He wanted to make it clear that sitting out does not mean he is disinterested in the game and that he works hard every day to play, not to sit and watch. Leonard is fully cleared to participate in the Clippers' training camp.
