LOS ANGELES — The Clippers once believed Kawhi Leonard would define their championship era. They gave up assets, leverage, and long-term flexibility to land him. But five years later, the tone has shifted. The Clippers are now signaling that they are done with Kawhi.
Clippers Done Building Around Kawhi Leonard, Go On The Offensive
As Baxter Holmes of ESPN revealed, the Leonard era inside the organization was always fragile. “Fear” crept in almost immediately after his 2019 signing. The franchise mortgaged its future for Paul George and crowned Leonard its cornerstone. The result? Injuries, chaos, and disappointment.
The Clippers were the favorites in 2020, only to blow a 3-1 lead to Denver. Leonard then tore his ACL during the 2021 playoffs. He has missed major chunks of seasons since, leaving the team in limbo.
Now, the Clippers are signaling that they are done with Kawhi as the Leonard era has hit a breaking point.
Investigations and Frustrations
Beyond the on-court injuries, the Clippers have battled turbulence off it. Three investigations and two lawsuits have followed Leonard’s arrival. The most damaging involves Aspiration, a tree brokerage tied to Steve Ballmer. The NBA’s inquiry into that sponsorship could drag on into next season.
“This last investigation is different,” a former staffer told Holmes. “This one directly calls into question Steve Ballmer’s character. At some point, Steve has got to get out of the Kawhi business.”
Such words cut deep. They reflect a franchise no longer willing to carry Leonard’s baggage.
Internal Voices Go Public
Through Holmes’s report and additional comments to DallasHoopsJournal, the Clippers have chosen to go on the offensive. The message is clear: Clippers are done with Kawhi Leonard as their franchise centerpiece.
“This has been a nightmare,” one team source said of Leonard’s tenure. “He’s an incredibly talented player when he’s healthy, but as everyone knows, he’s rarely healthy and his camp is just so difficult to deal with. His time here, thankfully, is coming to an end soon.”
That statement signals a public separation, years before Leonard’s contract expires in 2027.
The End of the Kawhi Era
For years, the Clippers tiptoed around Leonard’s demands. Now, with scandals mounting and championships fading, the franchise has shifted direction.
The Leonard chapter closes not with a title, but with disillusionment. The message is unmistakable: the team is already preparing for life without him.
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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