'Stronger' Kawhi Leonard ready to start training camp with rest of LA Clippers this week

PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Kawhi Leonard said he «definitely got a lot stronger» after a season off and is ready to start training camp when the LA Clippers open practice on Tuesday.

In his first comments since media day prior to last season, Leonard said he is good to go for camp — which opens in Las Vegas — after missing all of last season due to a torn right ACL.

«Plan is tomorrow to start training camp,» Leonard said at Clippers media day before the team flew to Las Vegas. «For me individually, I'll be participating in training camp. Then from there, just seeing how my progression is, how I feel, what I'm not feeling, is it moving correctly, and just keep going from there, just gradually building up.

»But right now, I feel good, and the plan is to start camp and play."

Leonard is cleared to fully participate, but the Clippers will be cautious with their franchise star, who hasn't played since tearing his right ACL in Game 4 of the second round against the Utah Jazz on June 14, 2021.

«I feel stronger, for sure,» Leonard said. «It's been, what, 14, 15 months of no basketball — well, playing in an NBA season for me, no basketball. That whole 13-, 14-month process is just lifting weights and getting stronger. I definitely got a lot stronger.»

The two-time NBA Finals MVP said he isn't sure how different of a player he will be once he returns to the court.

«Right now I feel good in my workouts, weightlifting,» Leonard said. «I don't feel like I have a subconscious mind of not jumping off my leg per se. I feel good. We'll just see how the season goes.

»And can't really tell you how that's going to work out."

The Clippers have assembled perhaps the deepest team in the NBA. Head coach Ty Lue could go 11 to 12 players deep on his