Could Clippers' Kawhi Leonard miss entire 2021-22 NBA season after ACL surgery?

Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard suffered a partial tear in his right ACL during the Western Conference semifinals and underwent surgery July 13 to repair the issue. It was suggested last month that Leonard could miss at least half of the 2021-22 regular season, but Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank hinted Friday the 30-year-old might not see meaningful action until the fall of 2022. 

"Oh, we don't even breach that," Frank answered about Leonard returning at any point during the upcoming campaign, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. "I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the timeframe.

"Even just to save you guys [from asking] throughout the year, is no one knows. You just attack it day by day, he has a very detailed plan with a great group and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time."

The Athletic's David Aldridge reported Thursday, "There’s little chance Leonard sees the floor during the regular season, at the very least."

Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and five-time All-Star, averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 52 regular-season games in 2020-21. He agreed to a four-year contract said to be worth $176.3 million in August.