Kawhi Leonard spoke out bluntly this week on his future with the Los Angeles Clippers.
As things presently stand, Leonard is entering the third year of the $176 million contract he signed with L.A. back in 2021. He has a $48.7 million player option for next year, but beyond that questions loom regarding what happens after.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are taking a very interesting approach with Leonard right now.
This week, during a session with the media, Leonard addressed his future in Los Angeles.
“We’re good. I came here in 2019 to be a Clipper. Me and the front office are good… It hasn’t been nothing that we’ve rushed on their side or my side.”
Kawhi Leonard on extension talks with the Clippers.
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/dmuWHtFGhj
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 7, 2023
“We’re good,” he said.
“I came here in 2019 to be a Clipper. Me and the front office are good… It hasn’t been nothing that we’ve rushed on their side or my side.”
It is telling that the Clippers aren’t in a hurry to get anything done with Leonard. A big reason why is likely the lack of legitimate playoff success the franchise has experienced during his stint with the organization.
When he and Paul George first arrived, everyone had big dreams of the Clippers winning their first ever NBA championship. Not only has that failed to materialize, but L.A. hasn’t even come close to making the Finals.
By any objective measure, this experiment has been a failure so far.
At the moment, the Clippers appear to be on the precipice of a deal for James Harden. Only one roadblock currently remains.
Trevor Lawrence’s wife’s choice of outfit to this morning’s London game has stolen the show from both the Jags and the Bills: https://t.co/9BhTx2JGPG
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 8, 2023
If the front office can push this trade into the endzone, Harden will provide Leonard with even more help.
But at that point – there will be no more excuses.
If Leonard doesn’t lead the Clippers to an NBA championship, it will do irreparable damage to his legacy.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
