"Retirement look": NBA fans troll Kawhi Leonard after his new offseason avatar goes viral

Kawhi Leonard’s season ended yet again in disappointment after the LA Clippers were sent home in six games by the Dallas Mavericks. Like last year, his right knee again gave up on him, forcing him to play only in Games 2 and 3 against the Mavericks. Leonard is set for at least three more years with the Clippers, but the franchise is facing serious uncertainties in the offseason.

The uncertainty surrounding the Clippers has extended to Leonard’s look. He was recently spotted in Las Vegas watching the highly anticipated fight between Gervonta “Frank” Davis and Frank Martin sporting a new hairdo. Known as a big boxing fan, “The Claw” enjoyed the WBA lightweight championship fight between the two protagonists.

Fans who saw Kawhi Leonard's new look, promptly reacted on X, formerly Twitter:

“Retirement look”

One fan had to ask:

“What they do to my boy?”

Here’s what another fan had to say is the effect of the new look:

“Ngl bro got aura now”

Like many, @CFGShifty can’t believe the Clippers star cut his hair:

“NO WAYYYYYYY KAWHI CUT HIS HAIRRR????”

For years, Kawhi Leonard’s corn rows were staples to his looks. He has had them since his last few seasons with the San Antonio Spurs until the 2024 playoffs with the LA Clippers. October, though, is still months away, giving him enough time to grow back his hair if he decides to have dreadlocks again.

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Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers are facing changes heading into the 2024-25 season

Kawhi Leonard’s hair, if he sticks with the new look, will not be the only new thing LA Clippers fans will see next season. Clipper Nation, for starters, will start calling the $2 billion Intuit Dome the franchise’s new home. For the first time in team history, they will not be co-tenants with their rivals, the LA Lakers who will remain at Crypto.com Arena.

Besides the venue change, the roster around Leonard could be vastly different. Paul George, who has a $48.7 million player option, could go elsewhere if he does not opt in by June 29. “PG13” recently went to Dallas for Game 3 of the Celtics-Mavericks NBA Finals with Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid. Philly is one of a handful of teams who are reportedly interested in signing George.

James Harden wants to remain in Los Angeles but is an unrestricted free agent. The Clippers are biding their time, reportedly looking for other options before offering “The Beard” something. Russell Westbrook, like George, has a player option so his future is still murky.

Kawhi Leonard will be the sure constant for the LA Clippers, but he may look vastly different when the 2024-25 season begins.