It appears as though the Los Angeles Clippers are taking every possible measure to make their organization as appealing to Kawhi Leonard as they can.
In the aftermath of comments that former Spur Bruce Bowen made regarding Kawhi Leonard criticizing him for his behavior during his final year in San Antonio, the Clippers have decided not to renew his contract as a TV analyst for the organization.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Bowen was under contract with Fox Sports West, but the Clippers — like every organization — have significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents and withheld approval on extending his contract.” He added that “The sides were expected to move forward on a new deal before Bowen’s public comments on Leonard.”
After he made negative comments pertaining to Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have reportedly decided against returning TV Analyst Bruce Bowen, per @wojespn. https://t.co/Fe2l7wEdXR
— Clipperholics (@ClipperholicsFS) August 13, 2018
Here’s what Bowen had to say about the two-time All-Star who was traded to the Toronto Raptors this offseason:
“I think there’s nothing but excuses going on. First, it was, ‘Well I was misdiagnosed.’ Look here: You got $18 million this year, and you think that they’re trying to rush you? You didn’t play for the most part a full season this year. And you’re the go-to guy, you’re the franchise, and you want to say that they didn’t have your best interest at heart? Are you kidding me?”
“I think he’s getting bad advice. I think what you’re starting to see now is an individual given a certain amount of advice and it’s not the right advice. Here it is: You were protected in San Antonio. You were able to come up during a time where you still could lean on Tim [Duncan], Tony [Parker] and Manu [Ginobili].”
All he did was say what every other NBA fan was thinking, and he got canned for it.
Bowen’s dismissal is clearly a ploy to entice Kawhi Leonard to sign with the team as he is set to hit the free agency market next season.
Although the Los Angeles Lakers are considered the frontrunners to land the former NBA champion, he is expected to also entertain offers from the Clippers as he desires to play in Los Angeles next year.
The Clippers certainly don’t have a lot of talent that would be useful in a pitch to Kawhi, so this move is an attempt to gain any competitive advantage they can as they attempt to secure an All-Star talent to bolster a team that has seldom experienced success in years past.
