Ex-Clippers staffer sues, says he was fired over Kawhi concerns

A former LA Clippers strength and conditioning coach has sued the team and its president for wrongful termination, alleging that he was let go for raising concerns about the management of Kawhi Leonard’s health and injuries. The coach, Randy Shelton, claims that the Clippers engaged in tampering to recruit Leonard, violating NBA rules. The Clippers deny these allegations and insist that Shelton’s contract was honored. The lawsuit alleges that the team misled Shelton about his role and excluded him from important meetings. Leonard has faced multiple injuries while playing for the Clippers, including an ACL tear, and Shelton believes his recovery was rushed, leading to further health issues. In 2022, Kawhi Leonard missed six games early in the season due to a foot injury. Later that season, he tore his right meniscus in a playoff series against the Phoenix Suns. Leonard’s uncle, Dennis Robertson, wrote a complaint to the Clippers’ owner, Steve Ballmer, about how the team handled Leonard’s health and his diminished role. The team’s president, Jason Frank, responded by saying they would investigate the matter. However, the allegations were deemed unsubstantiated, and Leonard’s uncle was terminated without cause in July 2023. Leonard has struggled with injuries since joining the Clippers in 2019, missing a significant number of games. His current status is indefinitely sidelined while rehabbing inflammation in his right knee.