Luckily we have 3 more captains from that side of the ball, including one from that position group. I think those guys will be able to keep the ship righted and emphasize the opportunity this represents for young guys on the roster.

I’d actually bet Leonard it’s more likely he has been a net negative as a “leader” v a net positive since 2021 (vaccine stuff and then injuries and playing time complaints)

The leaders of the D are Zaire and Kenny.

Zaire has clearly become the alpha dog in that locker room. I think we’ll be okay.

Not as bad as having a disgruntled vocal leader

No way. Leaders don’t cry about playing time when their play has cratered.

Painful but necessary, I don’t know what happened to him but watching the last game it was just sad

If anything, I think it will help the locker room. Shaq wasn’t worth a small portion of the money he was making. The fans knew it, and the locker room knew it.

Everybody loved Leonard, but he was a liability on the field. I wanted him on the bench, and his contract is a lot for a cheerleader.