Los Angeles Clippers have been installed as the pre-season favorites to win the 2020 NBA championships after an exciting offseason saw them sign reigning NBA Finals MVP KAwhi Leonard in free agency and bring in regular MVP contender Paul George via trade from Oklahoma City Thunder. Doc Rivers’ team begin their 2019-20 campaign against the Los Angeles Lakers but will not be at full strength for the game.

George, who arrived in the summer, revealed recently that he expects to miss the start of the new season after undergoing two surgeries during the offseason. He admitted that despite being close he will require at least two more months on the sidelines with November being the realistic target.

“I had my labrum done on my left shoulder and the rotator cuff done on my right,” George told NBA.com, as quoted on Reuters. “I’m not 100% but if I had to put a percentage on it, I think I’m about 85, 90ish.”

“Not all the way there, still got a little bit of stuff — range to work through, strength to work through — but I’m close. I’m happy with where I am at,” the Clippers new signing added.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank, head coach Doc Rivers, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard and owner Steve Ballmer of the Los Angeles Clippers attend the Paul George and Kawhi Leonard introductory press conference at Green Meadows Recreation Center on July 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Leonard and George are expected to form one of the best defenses in the NBA this season but the reigning NBA champion will have to make do without his playing partner at least for the first few games of the new season. They begin their season against City rivals and fellow title contenders Los Angeles Lakers before facing five-time consecutive NBA finalists Golden State Warriors in their second game.

Meanwhile, Leonard has set lofty ambitions after making his move from Toronto Raptors and is now focused on creating history by leading a third franchise to the NBA title. The small forward was named NBA Finals MVP on both previous occasions when he won the Larry O’Brien trophy with San Antonio Spurs in 2013 and Raptors in 2019.

“That would be a great accomplishment,” Leonard told Yahoo Sports. “That feat would be something to talk about once I’m done playing, and being able to do that in my hometown would be amazing. Growing up, [Staples Center] was one of the first NBA arenas I ever went to. So to do all of that here would be special. But we have work to do first.”

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