With the Clippers sitting at 26-28 and clinging to the 10th seed in the Western Conference, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads. The rest of this season could go one of two ways: a push toward the playoffs or a slide closer to the lottery. And based on how the roster looks right now, even their franchise cornerstone is keeping expectations in check.
Kawhi Leonard, who’s been the steadying force for L.A. all season, is putting up 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 41 games. He’s earned another All-Star nod, and deservedly so - his production has been elite. But when he spoke with NBA insider Chris Haynes, Leonard made it clear: this version of the Clippers isn’t built to contend right now.
“Right now, with the roster, we’re not contenders,” Leonard said. “We’ve got a lot of young guys that are learning.
We want Darius [Garland] to be healthy for the second half… We really need him ready to go next year. That’s my mindset… Try to get a playoff berth, if we can, and just try to have some fun in the playoffs.”
That’s a telling quote from a two-time Finals MVP. Leonard isn’t sugarcoating it - he knows this team is in transition. And that transition has been swift.
A New Look in L.A.
When the 2025-26 season tipped off, James Harden was still a central figure in the Clippers’ core. He was producing at a high level - 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists over 44 games - and playing the kind of basketball that made him a trade chip with real value. Earlier this month, the Clippers made the move, sending Harden to the Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.
Garland, a 26-year-old guard with All-Star potential, hasn’t suited up since January 14 due to a toe injury. He was averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games before going down. There’s still no timeline for his Clippers debut, but Leonard’s comments suggest the team is already thinking more about next season than this one when it comes to their new point guard.
That wasn’t the only major move at the deadline. Ivica Zubac - the team’s starting center and a double-double machine this season with 14.4 points and 11.0 boards per game - was also dealt. The Clippers sent Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-rounder.
That’s not just a trade - that’s a signal. The Clippers are shifting gears. By moving two key veterans for younger players and draft capital, L.A. is clearly eyeing the future while still trying to stay competitive in the present.
Kawhi’s Leadership in a Transitional Year
Through it all, Kawhi remains the focal point. He’s still producing at an elite level, still giving this team a chance to compete every night.
But he’s also realistic. With Harden and Zubac gone, and Garland not yet on the floor, the Clippers are relying on a younger supporting cast to grow up fast.
Leonard’s mindset? Get into the playoffs if possible, and enjoy the ride. That’s not waving the white flag - it’s a calculated approach from a veteran who knows what it takes to win, and what it looks like when a team isn’t quite there yet.
So while the Clippers may not be title contenders right now, they’re setting the stage for what’s next. Garland’s eventual return, the development of Mathurin and Jackson, and the draft picks acquired could shape the next chapter of this franchise.
For now, though, it’s Kawhi and the kids - trying to make a run, trying to stay competitive, and maybe, just maybe, surprise a few teams along the way.