Lawrence Frank states that the Clippers’ overarching goal continues to be achieving victory with Kawhi.
INGLEWOOD, Calif — Shortly after Kawhi Leonard avoided a question regarding his future, LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank reiterated the organization’s long-term commitment to Leonard during his end-of-season press conference on Friday.
“Our objective is to achieve success with Kawhi,” Frank stated. “We have clearly demonstrated as an organization that we are eager to continue and are focused on winning. Therefore, at the right moment, we will meet with Kawhi and, similar to 2024, outline our strategy. If our aspirations align, we would like to succeed with Kawhi.”
When questioned about his future following the Clippers’ defeat to the Warriors in the play-in game on Wednesday, Leonard remained silent. “Let me process this loss a little longer,” Leonard remarked. “We’ll have our conversations when the time is right.”
Leonard, who will reach 35 in June, is coming off the most productive offensive season of his career but will miss the playoffs for the first time when healthy. (The Clippers did not qualify for the playoffs in 2021-2022, but Leonard was sidelined that season due to a torn ACL). He concluded the season with a career-high average of 27.9 points and participated in 65 regular-season games; this marks his second season with over 60 games played since the 2018-2019 season.
The Clippers executed several trades at the deadline, raising questions about Leonard’s future and the team’s long-term strategy for contention.
Prior to the deadline, LA traded guard James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and subsequently dealt center Ivica Zubac to Indiana in exchange for a package that included Bennedict Mathurin. However, Frank highlighted the team’s 15 consecutive seasons and the blend of youth and experience on the roster to emphasize their commitment to winning and their status as competitive rather than rebuilding.
“I believe we have significant hope and optimism for our future,” he stated. “As we transition from being competitive to becoming a contender, we have positioned ourselves well with emerging young talent, draft assets, and cap space moving forward.”
This season also took place amid an NBA investigation into an endorsement agreement Leonard entered into with a now-defunct former team sponsor, Aspiration.
Podcaster Pablo Torre reported prior to the season that former Aspiration employees believed Leonard’s endorsement was a method for the Clippers to bypass the salary cap.
The NBA initiated an ongoing investigation into Leonard’s contract with Aspiration in September. Frank mentioned on Friday that the investigation did not affect the season.
“If you know [owner] Steve [Ballmer] and understand Steve’s integrity, you know there is nothing to it. I cannot comment on the investigation, but I will reaffirm what I stated back in September, October, or whenever it was that we believe and are very confident we are on the right side of this.”
