Clippers Signal They Want To Keep Kawhi Leonard

And if our goals are aligned, then we'd like to win with Kawhi. Leonard, who turns 35 in June, posted career-best scoring numbers this season at 27.9 points per game across 65 regular-season appearances, his second season with at least 60 games played since 2018-19. Despite the individual production, the Clippers missed the playoffs for the first time in a healthy Leonard season. Following Wednesday's play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors, Leonard offered little insight into his intentions. Let me cry about this loss a little bit more, he said. We'll have our discussions when that time comes. The Clippers executed significant roster moves at the trade deadline, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and trading Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a package that included Bennedict Mathurin, which were moves that raised questions about the franchise's direction. The Warriors also contacted the Clippers on a potential Leonard trade ahead of the deadline. Frank characterized the organization as competitive rather than rebuilding, pointing to 15 consecutive winning seasons, emerging young talent, draft capital and projected cap flexibility as evidence the Clippers remain positioned to contend. As we build that bridge from competitive to contender, we've put ourselves in a very good position with emerging young players, draft capital and cap space going forward, Frank said. The Athletic reported this week that Garland and head coach Ty Lue are the only ones certain to return next season. An ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard's endorsement deal with now-bankrupt sponsor Aspiration also hung over the season. Frank maintained Friday that the probe had no bearing on operations and expressed full confidence in the organization's position. If you know Steve [Ballmer] and know Steve's integrity, you know there's nothing to it, Frank said. We believe and we're very confident we're on the right side of this.