Kawhi Leonard’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers may soon be nearing its end, and not everyone inside the organization is sad to see him go. In a new report, an anonymous member of the team described Leonard’s tenure as a “nightmare,” citing his constant injuries and the difficulty of working with his camp.
“This has been a nightmare,” a Clippers source told Dallas Hoops Journal. “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.”
On the court, Kawhi’s talents are undeniable. He’s a two-time champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and six-time All-Star with a dominant two-way game. Last season, he averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game on 49.8% shooting. Unfortunately, Kawhi is frequently absent from the court, whether it’s due to load management, injuries, or off-court issues.
In the past six seasons with the Clippers, Kawhi has only played in 68 or more games once, and the franchise has only won two playoff series under his leadership. In addition to his max salary, Leonard may also have secret endorsement deals giving him even more compensation.
In the ongoing Aspiration scandal, the Clippers are accused of using the fraudulent company as part of a scheme to circumvent the salary cap. While the investigation is ongoing, it fits the pattern of history from Kawhi and his camp, who reportedly also asked the Lakers and Raptors for illegal perks.
Overall, there’s a feeling of frustration from the Clippers toward Kawhi Leonard. Even if you set aside the health issues and contract drama, he keeps his business very secret and private, effectively phasing the Clippers out of his process.
For what the Clippers have risked to ensure Kawhi’s loyalty, it doesn’t seem worth it. As good as he’s been on the court, the results haven’t been great, and now the whole operation is at risk of falling apart.
In many ways, the Lakers dodged a bullet when he rejected them in 2019, and the Clippers are nearly out of the woods as well. With just two years left on his deal, Leonard will be a free agent in 2027, and it doesn’t sound like the Clippers will extend his contract.
By that point, Kawhi will be 36, and the Clippers will no longer have justification to treat him like a top-tier superstar. Unless he’s willing to take some kind of discount, he’s likely not returning to Los Angeles, and that means they can start fresh with a clean slate.
Ultimately, only time will tell how this Kawhi saga ends, but it hasn’t been a great experience for Clippers fans. When he arrived years ago, they expected to win championships, but instead, all they’ve gotten is drama, disappointment, and potential ruin in the form of this Aspiration scandal.
As Leonard’s contract winds down and chaos looms over the franchise, it feels like the partnership has run its course. Whether he leaves in free agency or the team moves on via trade, the Clippers are preparing for life after Leonard, and many inside the organization seem ready for that next chapter to begin.
