Kawhi Leonard Shows New And Fresh Look After Cutting His Braids Off

Not only is it surprising that Leonard has cut off his braids, but he is smiling for that picture too, which isn't something you see all too often. With that image going viral, NBA fans hilariously reacted to it.

One said Leonard is getting ready for retirement.

A fan stated that Leonard is done with basketball.

One said Leonard got a new software update.

A fan joked about Leonard losing his aura with this new look.

One stated Leonard is now in his "unc" era.

Well, Kawhi is 32 years old and will turn 33 later this month, so he is getting up there in age. It remains to be seen if this is just an offseason look for the six-time All-Star or if he plans to keep it this way moving forward. He did sport an afro a few years back but that was clearly just an offseason look.

It is interesting to note, that there was also another instance where it appeared as if Leonard had changed his hairstyle. Back in 2017, a picture of him without his signature braids went viral in the offseason, but it was soon revealed to be fake.

Well, this latest picture certainly is real. As for why Leonard might have taken this step, there is a good chance we'll only find that out when he's speaking to the media before the start of next season.

Leonard is a very private individual, as we all know, and doesn't usually appear at public events. He was at this fight as he is a big boxing fan and witnessed Davis knock out Martin in the eighth round to retain his title.

The 2023-24 Season Ended In Disappointment For Kawhi Leonard

The 2023-24 season promised much for Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers but ended in disappointment. With Kawhi leading the way, the Clippers went 26-5 over a 31-game stretch from December to February and looked like the best team in the NBA.

Amid that excellent run, Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million extension with the Clippers. Everything was going great, but unfortunately, the good times weren't to last.

Leonard was healthy for much of the season but then went down with a knee injury in April. The timing couldn't have been any worse. He missed the last eight games of the regular season and then the first game of the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks.

Leonard, who had averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game in the season, returned for Game 2 but it was clear that he was nowhere near his best. He played in Game 3 as well, but that was it.

Leonard missed the rest of the series and the Clippers lost in six games. You do wonder at this point, whether he will ever be healthy in the playoffs. The last time he was injury-free in the postseason was 2020 and as he gets older, the chances of that injury bug staying away get slimmer and slimmer.