'First Time In A Whil He Is Not Rehabbing From Injury': Kawhi Leonard Goes Back To Work With Clippers, Maximizing ‘Healthy’ Off-Season, Says Report

During the 2025 NBA draft on Wednesday, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk reported that Loenard is excited to face the offseason without having to experience rehab. It’s been a while since the two-time Finals MVP had the entire summer for himself, Clippers’ president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank revealed.

“He’s extremely excited because its the first time in a while he is not rehabbing from injury… and getting back to working,” Youngmisuk posted on X.

The NBA insider also disclosed that Kawhi Leonard continued to exercise until the NBA Finals to maintain his physical fitness between October and June. Last season, ‘The Klaw’ appeared in just 37 games, averaging 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. In the postseason, he played in all seven games of the Los Angeles Clippers’ first-round series against the Denver Nuggets.

The six-time All-Star put up 25 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists during the series.

Top NBA draft pick confidently compared himself to the Kawhi Leonard

Ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, Cooper Flagg drew comparisons to various players around the league. One of the star players that have been compared to him is the Los Angeles Clippers star, Kawhi Leonard. Although Flagg is bigger, at 6-foot-9, he is quick and agile enough to be a premier perimeter defender in the NBA.

Flagg claimed to have the potential and talent to play like the Clippers player before the Dallas Mavericks selected him with the first overall pick.

“I like to think that I could play like Kawhi [Leonard],” Flagg said. “Just such a good two-way talent. I don’t know if I actually do or not, but I think my friends would say someone like that as well.”

Becoming a star like Kawhi Leonard in the league is no easy feat. However, Flagg has shown that he has the work ethic to improve his overall performance on both ends and be a superstar.