The L.A. Clippers are shifting their focus away from Kawhi Leonard, per a new report from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.
Multiple GMs and league execs believe Leonard will play out his contract, which runs through the 2026-27 season. But internally, the mindset has changed.
“They’re done building around [Kawhi],” one former staffer said. “They know that and he knows that.”
After five years of inconsistent playoff runs and injury setbacks, the franchise is no longer planning around Kawhi as the centerpiece, and the Clippers appear ready to turn the page.
The Kawhi era isn’t officially over, but the team’s priorities are already moving on.
Here’s a breakdown of what the recent reporting suggests about the Clippers’ relationship with Kawhi Leonard — where things have come from, what seems to be shifting, and what it might mean going forward.
What we know
A number of credible NBA insiders and former Clippers staffers, per reports especially from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and others, are pushing the narrative that the Clippers have internally shifted away from treating Kawhi Leonard as the centerpiece of their long‐term plan.
A former staffer is quoted as saying, “They’re done building around [Kawhi]. They know that and he knows that.”
Multiple GMs and league executives believe that Leonard will play out his contract through the 2026‑27 season, but that the Clippers are no longer planning around him in terms of roster construction.
Leonard’s availability has been a consistent concern: injuries (especially knee issues), load management, and periods of absence have repeatedly limited what he can do.
Why this shift seems to be happening
There are several forces pushing the Clippers toward a reorientation of their strategy:
Durability / Health Issues
Kawhi has a history of being excellent when healthy, but his ability to stay healthy has often been in question. Periods out of action, knee procedures, inflammation, etc., have added up.
Roster Age & Composition
Besides Kawhi, many of the Clippers’ key players are getting older. The lineup includes veterans like James Harden, Chris Paul, Nicolas Batum, etc.
That means even if Kawhi is still productive, the window for a sustained championship run built around aging superstars is narrowing. The Clippers seem to recognise that.
Performance & Playoff Results
Despite star power, the Clippers have not made a Finals appearance with Kawhi. Their playoff runs have been inconsistent, and injuries have often intervened at crucial moments. The mismatch between expectations and results likely weighs heavily in front‑office thinking.
Contract & Flexibility Considerations
Kawhi is signed through 2026‑27. The contract is large, and that limits what you can do with cap space, trades, future flexibility, etc. If the team perceives that a different approach might yield better or more reliable returns, then leaning away from building around him makes sense.
What “done building around him” seems to mean in practice
This doesn’t necessarily mean the Clippers are giving up on Kawhi entirely. Rather:
They still expect him to play out his contract.
They might be less likely to make roster moves that demand Kawhi being the focal point (i.e., trades or signings intended to complement or protect him) and instead favor more depth, more youth, more flexibility.
They could shift more responsibility toward other stars on the roster (e.g. James Harden) or younger/upcoming players.
The team may also be more risk‑averse in how aggressively they push Kawhi to return from injury or load him heavily, placing more priority on long‑term health than short‑term gains.
What this could mean for Kawhi, the team, and the future
Here are some possible implications:
Reduced expectations or role: Kawhi may no longer be viewed as the “alpha” or the unquestioned primary guy; his usage, minutes, or involvement could be more limited.
Increased attention to preserving his body: More rest, more managed minutes, maybe even modified expectations for certain games or moments.
Roster moves reflecting change: The front office may be more likely to trade for younger assets, seek out players who are less dependent on him, or build styles/systems that don’t require Kawhi to carry the load.
Legacy & perception issues: For Kawhi, this could be a more complicated period — balancing what he can physically do, how he’s viewed by the organization, and how he wants to finish out his contract.
Long‑term team direction: The Clippers may be gearing toward a transition—building more for flexibility, keeping options open post‑2026‑27, maybe planning for life after Kawhi’s contract ends, whether through retooling or re‑building.
Caveats & unknowns
Just because there’s internal belief the team is “done building around him” doesn’t mean Kawhi is being pushed out, or that everything changes immediately. Leverage, medical condition, performance, and his own expectations all matter.
We don’t know exactly how the coaching staff thinks about this internally, or exactly how much decision‑making power Kawhi’s camp has over how he is used.
Injuries are unpredictable. If Kawhi miraculously stays healthy and performs at a very high level, it might change the calculus.
Organizational culture, fan expectations, sponsorships, market factors also constrain what a team can do even if they want to pivot.
Conclusion
In short: the Clippers seem to be moving from a strategy of “build everything around Kawhi Leonard as a star centerpiece” toward a more hedged approach. They recognize both his value when healthy and the risks and limitations his health imposes. They are trying to preserve as many future options as possible while still being competitive in the near term.
The move isn’t necessarily a public admission or a definitive break yet—but it suggests that the Clippers (and Kawhi) are mentally shifting. The Kawhi era may not be over, but it appears its centrality is.
If you like, I can try to dig up what rival teams or analysts think this means for trade possibilities, or how this positions the Clippers for the next two seasons. Would you prefer I do that?
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