The 2025 NBA offseason has been all about Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, nothing was in good light as Pablo Torre’s revelations about the franchise’s association with the now-bankrupt Aspiration sent shockwaves. Well, moving ahead with all the investigations and scrutiny looming in the shadows, the LA Clippers have another major concern to deal with: age.

With an average age of 33.2 years old, the Clippers are the oldest team in the 2025 season. Any kid would just call them a bunch of uncles playing on the court. However, clearing his stance in a recent interview, Kawhi Leonard said:

“I’ve been an unc for a long time. Since I was 16 years old, it’s nothing new. I started on a team with a lot of veterans. It’s nothing new to me. When I first came in, I was with a lot of greats. Tim Duncan, Tony, Manu, Stephen Jackson, TJ Ford, Richard Jefferson. It’s been like that for me.”

The Klaw debuted in 2011 as the 15th pick of the Indiana Pacers. The San Antonio Spurs traded for him on draft night, starting his career under the great Gregg Popovich. When he joined the franchise, legends and teammates, like Tim Duncan, who was 35 then, were heading towards retirement. Stephenson Jackson was 33, and TJ Ford was in his early 30s. ‘Uncle status’? Sure thing! But that never stopped a championship dream.

Meanwhile, talking about the LA Clippers’ defense, Kawhi Leonard said, “It went well. These games are always tough. You don’t know who you’re guarding… just got to keep building for it.” Added that “it’s still preseason, it’s practice” when he was asked about areas of improvement for the next preseason game on Sunday. Leonard pushed hard for the Clippers in 2024–25, averaging 21.5 points, 3.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game. His consistency carried them into the postseason. Yet the story ended sooner than hoped, as Denver knocked them out in round one.

But the Clippers’ horizon is far from clear. Bogdan Bogdanovic, their Serbian star, carries fresh injury concerns that arrive at the worst possible moment. Right before preseason, such news risks shaking confidence. One sudden setback can tilt the mood of an entire squad, and this update could spark real unease.

Amidst Kawhi Leonard’s message, Bogi brings new concerns

Bogdan Bogdanovic’s preseason took a worrying turn within just two minutes at Frontwave Arena. The veteran scorer clutched his back, left for the locker room, and the team later ruled him out with lower back soreness after he started in place of Bradley Beal, who remains day to day. Beal may return against Denver on Sunday, but his availability rests on the next update.

Meanwhile, Bogdanovic’s absence erased hopes of him recreating last year’s unforgettable fireworks against Guangzhou. This setback stings even more considering his rocky summer. The Clippers, Serbia’s national team, and his agent had already cut his EuroBasket run short, and while he seemed recovered, the timing raises questions. Reports suggest he signaled everything was fine, but optimism could be his way of calming nerves.

To be put on the table means laying out all possibilities, and right now, the table makes it clear that Tyronn Lue should have rested him. Limiting him to ten minutes against the Denver Nuggets might have been wiser, especially since his intensity in Serbia hinted he needed a pause more than a preseason cameo.

Thus, the LA Clippers feel like a drama that refuses to fade to black. Kawhi wears his “unc” badge like armor, reminding everyone that veteran legs can still chase banners. Yet age looms, Bogdanovic’s back casts fresh doubt, and Denver’s shadow lingers. The question now is simple: can experience outlast time’s stubborn grip?