NBA fans lost it on social media after Kawhi Leonard showed his new look for the offseason. Leonard was seen sporting a different haircut in Las Vegas, which shocked some fans. There were even shots at Paul George, who is expected to become a free agent this summer.
In a post on his official X account, LA Clippers beat reporter Joey Linn shared an image of Leonard sporting longer hair. "The Klaw" played just two postseason games before getting shut down due to swelling on his surgically repaired knee.
However, he'll be suiting up for Team USA in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics and will team up with LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant among others.
Here's what Linn wrote in his short report:
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"Not what I expected to report on this summer, but Kawhi Leonard did not cut his hair."
NBA fans couldn't get enough of Kawhi Leonard's new locks and it somewhat broke the internet for a minute. Some thought that Leonard cut his hair shorter, but it was just tied at the back and was longer.
Nevertheless, LA Clippers fans went bananas and even roasted Paul George:
"This is bigger news than PG free agency," one fan wrote.
"He look 19 again," another fan commented.
"Looking at his hair is completely distracting us from him blatantly smiling lmfao," a fan remarked.
Other fans are preparing for an even better campaign from Kawhi Leonard next season.
"Kaweezy about to go for the MVP next year," one fan claimed.
"It's either he has an all-time great season or he's completely washed no in between," another fan wrote.
"We might be in store for his best season since 2019," a fan commented.
Kawhi Leonard could get replaced in Team USA
One of the biggest problems facing Team USA heading into their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics is health. Kawhi Leonard only played two playoff games due to a knee injury, Joel Embiid barely made the postseason and Tyrese Haliburton missed the final two games of the Eastern Conference finals.
However, Embiid has already undergone surgery and will have plenty of time to fully recover and Haliburton's injury is not serious. Leonard's injury could be a concern since it relates to swelling and pain management.
One potential replacement for the two-time NBA champion on the Team USA roster is the Boston Celtics' Derrick White. Here's what ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said on "NBA Countdown":
"I'm told that Derrick White will be a prominent replacement candidate for USA Basketball's summer Olympic roster if the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard is not able to fully rehab back that knee injury that ended his playoff season prematurely. That's certainly something USA Basketball is monitoring." [H/T NBC Sports]
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