Amid Investigation Storm, Lakers Legend Reveals Secret About Kawhi Leonard’s True Health Condition

The NBA is no stranger to controversy, and this offseason, one of the league’s biggest stars has found himself at the center of a storm. Kawhi Leonard, the quiet but deadly forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, is currently under the microscope—not for his performance on the court, but due to ongoing allegations of salary cap circumvention involving team owner Steve Ballmer.

While the league has not yet made a ruling, the speculation has triggered conversations across the basketball world. Could Kawhi Leonard’s contract be voided? Would he become a free agent? And if so, what would a fully healthy Leonard look like in a new environment?

Amid all of this uncertainty, Lakers legend Robert Horry has made a bold prediction: a 100% healthy Kawhi Leonard is coming, and teams should be ready.

Cap Circumvention Allegations: What We Know So Far

The current turmoil began when reports surfaced alleging that Steve Ballmer used underhanded methods to pay Leonard outside of the standard NBA salary cap structure. This allegedly involved using a now-defunct company for a side endorsement deal. If proven true, this could result in serious sanctions for the Los Angeles Clippers, including the voiding of Kawhi Leonard’s contract.

So far, the NBA has not issued a final judgment, but Commissioner Adam Silver has stated that the burden of proof lies with the league. That leaves both Leonard and the Clippers in a state of limbo.

Should the league decide to void the deal, Kawhi Leonard would instantly become one of the most high-profile free agents in recent history—a move that would set off a bidding war unlike any other.

Robert Horry Sees a Healthy and Hungry Kawhi Leonard

Despite the controversy swirling off the court, Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion, believes that fans should keep their eyes on Leonard’s health and form heading into the 2025–26 NBA season.

“He’s not a guy that’s gonna cause conflict in your locker room, and I think, this year, he’s gonna be 100% healthy,” Horry said on his podcast. “I truly believe that because I think you go through a stage where you come back too early… and I think a lot of his injuries stem from him coming back too early.”

This statement has struck a chord with fans and analysts alike. Leonard’s injury history has been a major storyline during his tenure in Los Angeles, but Horry’s prediction paints a more optimistic picture.

Kawhi Leonard’s Injury History: A Major Obstacle

Since joining the Clippers in 2019, Kawhi Leonard has been plagued by injuries—particularly during the playoffs, where his absence has dramatically affected the team’s performance. Out of 43 postseason games the Clippers have played since 2019, Leonard has only appeared in 28.

From knee swelling to a torn ACL, Leonard’s body has been through repeated setbacks. A crucial example is the 2022–23 season, when he tried to return too quickly from ACL surgery. The attempt backfired, and he was soon sidelined again due to inflammation and lingering issues.

It’s been a pattern: Leonard returns, shows flashes of brilliance, and then breaks down again. That trend may be about to change.

Signs of a Turnaround in the 2024–25 Season

The 2024–25 NBA season offered a glimpse of what a healthier Kawhi Leonard could bring. For the first time in years, he was able to participate in a more consistent stretch of games and enter the playoffs in relatively good shape.

With a full offseason of recovery, training, and rest, Leonard is now being tipped to return to his best form—and that’s exactly what Robert Horry predicts.

Horry isn’t just throwing out wild guesses. His views are based on firsthand experience with injury management and championship teams. He believes Leonard has learned to pace himself and will come back fresher, stronger, and more reliable.

Could Leonard’s Contract Be Voided?

One of the most intriguing aspects of the cap circumvention investigation is the possibility that Kawhi Leonard’s contract with the Clippers might be voided. If that happens, he could become a free agent—though not without complications.

Horry explained that such a scenario would come with several stipulations:

“They [are] gonna have to do it, cuz think about it, they [are] gonna fine you $28 million, or something like that. They ain’t gonna let him be a free agent, because he will hit a lot more than the $100 million if he becomes a free agent.”

In other words, if the NBA punishes the Clippers, they may not want to also hand Leonard a golden opportunity in free agency. Expect restrictions, trade possibilities, or even a restructured contract if that situation unfolds.

The Market for Kawhi Leonard Is Still Red-Hot

Even at 34 years old, Kawhi Leonard remains one of the most valuable assets in the NBA. His two Finals MVPs (2014 and 2019) are a testament to his ability to rise in big moments, and when healthy, he’s among the top two-way players in the game.

Horry pointed to Joel Embiid, a fellow All-Star with recurring injury issues, as an example of why teams will still line up for a player like Leonard.

“I just think that in this day and age, with a talent like this, a game changer like this, you [have] got to take that chance…”

If Leonard becomes available—even under legal or disciplinary restrictions—expect teams like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, and even the Los Angeles Lakers to show serious interest.

A Career Renaissance on the Horizon?

If Robert Horry’s bold prediction about Kawhi Leonard’s health proves to be correct, we could be witnessing the beginning of a remarkable late-career resurgence.

The 2025–26 season might offer the perfect storm: a motivated Leonard, freed from physical limitations, and possibly playing in a new environment with something to prove. That combination could reignite the form that once made him the most feared defender and clutch performer in the league.

With the league’s investigation ongoing, and no final word on his future with the Clippers, all eyes are on Leonard. But if his body holds up, and his mind is as locked in as ever, we could be looking at a Kawhi Leonard renaissance—one that reminds everyone why he was once the king of both ends of the floor.

Final Thoughts: A Defining Season Ahead

The NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard could reshape the Western Conference. Whether Leonard remains with the Clippers or starts fresh somewhere else, the 2025–26 season may be his most important in years.

And if Robert Horry is right, a fully healthy Kawhi Leonard will not just participate—he’ll dominate.