While the Los Angeles Clippers badly wanted to sign Kawhi Leonard during the 2019 offseason, sources tell ESPN that a sense of “fear” began kicking in shortly after they managed to do so based on the price they had to pay in terms of trading for Paul George and the cost of having Leonard as their franchise player.
The Clippers were the favorites to win the 2020 NBA championship, but blew a 3-1 lead in the second round to the Denver Nuggets, then Leonard tore his ACL during their playoff run in 2021. Injuries continued to plague the Clippers in the following seasons as they’ve remained around the fringes of title contention. But even as the Clippers continue trying to compete around Leonard, there is a sense that they’ve shifted their focus away from him.
“They’re done building around [Kawhi],” said one former staffer of the Clippers. “They know that and he knows that.”
Multiple general managers and league executives that spoke with ESPN expect Leonard to play out his contract with the Clippers that expires after the 2026-27 season.
“Looking back, the deal was a f—ing disaster,” one rival GM told ESPN.
Now, the Clippers are under investigation for allegations of cap circumvention regarding Leonard’s endorsement deal with Aspiration. On top of the cost it took for the Clippers to sign Leonard in the form of their trade with the Oklahoma City for Paul George, there could be an additional cost if they’re sanctioned by the NBA for the Aspiration deal.
The Clippers owe their unprotected 2026 first round pick to the Thunder plus swap rights in 2027.
“This last investigation is different,” a former Clippers staffer said of the league’s inquiry into a sponsorship deal with a company that Steve Ballmer invested in. “This one directly calls into question Steve Ballmer’s character.
“At some point, Steve has got to get out of the Kawhi business.”