On schedule to play in Monday night’s pre-season game against the Portland Trail Blazers for the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/warriors-guard-klay-thompson-to-skip-pre-season-games-in-japan-20221002-SPD-2879.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Clippers</a> is forward <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/lonzo-ball-of-bulls-projected-to-make-injury-comeback-this-season-20220930-SPD-2869.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kawhi Leonard</a>. Head coach Ty Lue said to the media, “Kawhi will play Monday,” as the Clippers prepared for their first preseason game on Friday in Seattle against the Israeli club Maccabi Ra’anana.



Leonard, who was sidelined along with a number of other players, has not played since Game 4 of the second round of the 2021 Playoffs when he tore his ACL against the Utah Jazz. A ruptured ACL was the latest in a string of problems for Leonard, who has not played in more than 60 games in a season since 2017.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“He [Leonard] looked really good. Went through everything, both practices, so it was good to see. We’ve got to be smart about the situation, about the process. We know he feels great, which is great news and great to hear. But we’ve got to listen to Kawhi’s body, be able to listen to the medical staff and make sure we’re doing the right thing for Kawhi,” Tyron Lue told the reporters.</blockquote>



<h2>Kawhi Leonard feeling stronger than before</h2>



The big issue now is whether or not he can return to his peak form after missing so much time. There is no doubt that he has taken advantage of the break by going to the gym. Leonard, who has been seen flaunting his ripped legs in social media posts, claims to be in better physical shape than ever before.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“I feel stronger, yeah. I feel stronger for sure. It’s been, what, 14-15 months of no basketball. That whole 13-14 months process is just lifting, lifting weights, and getting stronger. But I definitely got a lot stronger,” said Leonard.</blockquote>

Kawhi Leonard to make injury comeback to Clippers' lineup in pre-season game against Trail Blazers

Kawhi Leonard to make injury comeback to Clippers' lineup in pre-season game against Trail Blazers - thesportsdrops NEWS

miniaturas

An extension of <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-knicks-missed-out-on-stephen-curry-to-warriors-in-2009-nba-draft-1246-20220602-SPD-1246.html" data-type="URL" data-id="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-knicks-missed-out-on-stephen-curry-to-warriors-in-2009-nba-draft-1246-20220602-SPD-1246.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ivica Zubac</a>‘s deal with the <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/report-russell-westbrook-will-opt-into-47m-option-to-return-to-the-lakers-1842-20220628-SPD-1842.html" data-type="URL" data-id="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/report-russell-westbrook-will-opt-into-47m-option-to-return-to-the-lakers-1842-20220628-SPD-1842.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Los Angeles Clippers</a> for another three years has been agreed upon, according to ESPN and the basketball agents Jeff Schwartz and Mike Lindeman from Excel Sports.



The Clippers will not exercise Zubac’s club option for the last season of his current deal, which pays him $7.5 million and ties him to LA through the conclusion of the 2024/25 season in order for him to collect $33 million over the following three seasons. The Clippers’ longest-tenured player already has six and a half seasons under his belt if he signs a new deal to continue with the team until the conclusion of the current one.



When they agreed to this arrangement, they blocked the Croatian from going elsewhere when his contract expired next summer (after his previous deal expired), while also resolving the problem of a long-term primary center for a reasonable fee. Zubac, on the other hand, was given job stability for the next phase of his career as well as a rise in compensation of around $4 million above his prior yearly wage.



<h2>Zubac to stay with Clippers until 2025</h2>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“For four seasons, Zu has been a pillar of our team, durable and dependable. He does whatever is needed: setting screens, rolling to the rim, anchoring the interior of the defense. He is a reliable teammate and a consistent pro, just entering the prime of his career. We are excited to continue growing with him.”<cite>Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank</cite></blockquote>



This squad received Zubac in a trade from the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2019 for the 32nd overall selection. Since his first season in 2019, the 25-year-old center has been a regular in the starting lineup.

Los Angeles Clippers

Kawhi Leonard to make injury comeback to Clippers' lineup in pre-season game against Trail Blazers

NBA News: Ivica Zubac signs three-year contract extension with LA Clippers

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