Clippers' Playoff Misfortunes Continue: What's Next for Kawhi Leonard and Co?
After the Clippers' recent setbacks, Kawhi Leonard candidly shares his insights on the team's next steps.
In a familiar bitter taste, the Los Angeles Clippers have once again been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, this year by the Denver Nuggets. Last night, the Nuggets took control of the second and third quarters, putting the game out of reach, leaving Kawhi Leonard and the gang packing their bags.
The middle quarters saw the Nuggets demonstrate their dominance, outscoring LA by a whopping 72-40, putting the nail in the coffin before the fourth quarter even began. Leonard put up an impressive game-high 22 points, which tied with Aaron Gordon, but unfortunately, no other Clipper scored more than 13 points.
After yet another dissatisfying playoff exit, Leonard was asked about what he can learn from this season. With a seemingly weary tone, he responded, "I mean, I don't know right now," via The Athletic's Law Murray. "I guess we stayed playing at a high level, in a sense. But yeah, it's a hard question to answer right now."
When Leonard joined the Clippers alongside Paul George in 2019, there were high hopes that the legendary duo would finally bring the elusive championship to the Clippers after decades of failure. However, despite their best efforts, the Clippers haven't lived up to these expectations, struggling for six continuous years.
Following their latest playoff unfortunate, questions about the future of the Clippers are heating up. Key decisions involving Kawhi Leonard and potential roster changes are on the horizon.
With Kawhi Leonard re-signing with the Clippers last offseason, he's contracted for the following two years, earning $50 million next season and $50.3 million during the 2026-27 season at the age of 35. Meanwhile, James Harden holds a $36 million player option for the 2024-2025 season, but it remains unclear if he'll opt-out to negotiate a new contract.
The Clippers are entering a pivotal offseason, focusing on addressing frontcourt help, acquiring another playmaker, and bolstering their shooting game. They plan to address these needs via free agency and the draft, prioritizing long-term development over immediate playoff success.
Rumors suggest that the Clippers have been linked to players like Neemias Queta, Toumani Camara, and John Collins as potential trade targets. With a healthy financial outlook, they are willing to approach the luxury tax aprons if needed, and have tradable first-round picks in 2030 and 2032 at their disposal.
In the face of challenging rebuilding obstacles, Leonard, Harden, and the Clippers must navigate this offseason carefully to turn the tide and bring home a championship—or face yet another disappointing playoff run. Buckle up, Clippers fans, the offseason is bound to be an exciting ride!
- Despite Kawhi Leonard's impressive performance and the high expectations following his arrival in 2019, the Los Angeles Clippers have continued their struggle for success in the NBA playoffs.
- As the Clippers prepare for a crucial offseason, they are considering trades for players like Neemias Queta, Toumani Camara, and John Collins to bolster their roster for a championship push.
- With the Clippersdetermined to focus on long-term development rather than immediate playoff success, the offseason promises to be an exciting ride as they work to address their needs in frontcourt help, playmaking, and shooting.
