Clippers president Lawrence Frank: 'No one knows' when Kawhi Leonard will return from injury

Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was upfront when asked about when Kawhi Leonard will return to the court. 

Frank was quite clear that he's unsure of when the two-time NBA Finals MVP will play again. 

"Oh, we don't even breach that," Frank said when asked if he expects Leonard to play this season, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I think at this point, it's just no one knows when you're dealing with a recovery from an ACL [injury], the timeframe.

"Even just to save you guys [from asking] throughout the year, is no one knows. You just attack it day by day, he has a very detailed plan with a great group and we'll just let his body and the doctors tell us when it's the right time."

Leonard partially tore his ACL in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Utah Jazz in June and underwent surgery to repair the injury in July. Frank noted that Leonard is in the midst of a "significant rehab."

Earlier this week, The Athletic's David Aldridge reported, "There's little chance Leonard sees the floor during the regular season, at the very least."

Leonard signed a four-year, $176.3 million deal with the Clippers last month after declining his option to enter free agency. He was brilliant for the franchise when healthy last season, averaging 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 51.2% from the field and 39.8% from deep.

With the five-time All-Star unavailable, the Clippers will rely heavily on Paul George to lead a group that includes Eric Bledsoe, Nicolas Batum, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris and Terance Mann.