The Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard for Brandon Ingram. Ingram is not going to be available when the season starts.
Los Angeles announced that Ingram, a two-time All-Star, will miss the beginning of the season. Surgery on his right heel in May revealed a partial Achilles tear. There is no timetable for his return.
The Timeline Raises an Obvious Question
The surgery happened in May. The Leonard trade was finalized in late September. Ingram also missed Toronto’s final two playoff games against Cleveland with the heel.
Reporting indicates the Clippers knew about the concern before completing the deal. Whether the full extent of it was disclosed has not been established, and nobody involved is volunteering a timeline of who knew what.
Either way, Los Angeles acquired a player with a partially torn Achilles as the centerpiece of a trade that sent out a former Finals MVP.
What Ingram Does When Healthy
He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists with Toronto last season. That is a legitimate first or second option, a 6-foot-8 scorer who can create his own shot from the midrange.
One live-blog summary floated a line of 31.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists. That figure does not match the official numbers and should be ignored.
The Injury List Is Absurd
Ingram is not the only problem. Bradley Beal has right knee inflammation. Jordan Miller had rotator cuff surgery. Yanic Konan Niederhauser tore a foot ligament in March.
Interim president Trent Redden kept his assessment short: “He won’t be ready for the start of the season, and we’ll reevaluate when we get there.” Ingram says his recovery is progressing but his camp work will be limited.
This Franchise Is in Free Fall
Put it together. The Clippers lost Leonard, were fined $30 million at the ownership level, had their president and a top executive suspended, and surrendered five first-round picks from 2029 through 2033. Their return for Leonard cannot play.
A team cannot rebuild without draft picks, and a team cannot compete without its best players. Los Angeles currently has neither.
The Achilles Caveat Matters
A partial tear managed without a full rupture is a better outcome than what the word Achilles usually signals. Players return from this. The absence of a timetable is more about caution than catastrophe.
Ingram’s age, contract details and expected return date have not been confirmed. What the Clippers have confirmed is that whatever they thought they were getting in that trade, they will not see it in October.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.