Kawhi Leonard's Controversial Treatment Under Scrutiny by Former Clippers Coach
The Los Angeles Clippers have been thrust into a legal spotlight, facing allegations from former assistant performance coach Randy Shelton. Shelton's tenure with the team, spanning from 2019 to 2023, came to an unceremonious end, and he is now challenging the organization's handling of player welfare, specifically that of star Kawhi Leonard.
Shelton's journey with the Clippers began after his role as the strength and conditioning coach at San Diego State University. His initial foray into the NBA appeared promising, coinciding with discussions about Leonard's prospective move to Los Angeles. Leonard eventually signed with the team in July 2019, shortly after meetings had been initiated in 2017.
However, the promising beginning soon gave way to tension. According to Shelton, his responsibilities dwindled following Todd Wright's appointment to the coaching staff. Shelton claims he was excluded from critical meetings and denied access to vital medical information pertaining to players. He specifically points to concerns surrounding Leonard, asserting that the athlete should have been sidelined for two years following an ACL tear in 2021, a recommendation he feels was overlooked.
Concerns escalated on March 25, 2023, when Shelton alleges that Leonard's concussion symptoms were ignored during a game. These issues have now culminated in a lawsuit against the Clippers, where John David, Shelton's lawyer, contends that the case underscores the need for the organization to prioritize the health and recovery of its players. David states, "We hope that our client's lawsuit will serve as a wakeup call to the Clippers organization that their players are not just dollar values but are humans requiring proper—and not hastened—health and recovery treatment for the careers and lives afterwards."
The internal atmosphere for Shelton reportedly soured further when Wright allegedly berated him in December 2022, an incident that occurred after Shelton had already requested a formal leave of absence. The strain reached a breaking point in April 2023 when Shelton lodged a written complaint about the working environment. Despite these grievances, the Clippers' investigation found Shelton's claims to be unsubstantiated. The organization responded through a statement released by Chris Haynes, asserting, "Mr. Shelton's claims were investigated and found to be without merit. We honored Mr. Shelton's employment contract and paid him in full. This lawsuit is a belated attempt to shake down the Clippers based on accusations that Mr. Shelton should know are false."
July 2023 marked the end of Shelton's tenure with the Clippers, as his employment was formally terminated. During the 2023-24 season, Leonard was reported as out indefinitely due to knee inflammation, managing to appear in 68 regular-season games before his playoff return was cut short after only one and a half games. The backdrop of this timeline has fueled further speculation and scrutiny over the care and decisions surrounding Leonard's health.
The Clippers' handling of player injuries is not a novel topic in NBA circles. However, this lawsuit brings a fresh perspective, particularly from someone who was once entrenched within the team's operations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications for how NBA teams manage player health and welfare could have lasting ramifications, not only for the Clippers but potentially for the league as a whole.