Clippers Host Chaotic NBA All-Star Weekend Amid Roster Turmoil

The Los Angeles Clippers' recent run of success is overshadowed by a turbulent season filled with roster changes and off-court drama.

Feb. 12, 2026 at 2:07am

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The Los Angeles Clippers are hosting NBA All-Star weekend for the first time, but the celebration is marred by a chaotic season that has seen the team struggle on the court and deal with off-court issues like an investigation into a suspicious endorsement deal for superstar Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers have made the playoffs 12 times in the last 14 seasons, a remarkable turnaround from their days as the laughingstock of the NBA. However, this season has featured a shambolic 6-21 start, the surprising dismissal of franchise icon Chris Paul, and a recent roster overhaul that saw the team trade away James Harden and Ivica Zubac.

Why it matters

The Clippers' hosting of the NBA All-Star weekend comes at a pivotal moment for the franchise, which is trying to balance its recent success with the challenges of the current season. The team's turbulent year has raised questions about its long-term direction and the future of its star players like Kawhi Leonard.

The details

The Clippers' season began under the cloud of an NBA investigation into a suspicious endorsement deal for Kawhi Leonard, which has angered other teams. The team then got off to a disastrous 6-21 start, leading to the surprising dismissal of Chris Paul just six weeks into his farewell season. The Clippers have since made a series of trades, including sending James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana, in an effort to get younger and improve their long-term outlook.

  • The Clippers' season began in October 2025.
  • In November 2025, the team dismissed Chris Paul just six weeks into the season.
  • In January 2026, the Clippers traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers' superstar player who is at the center of an NBA investigation into a suspicious endorsement deal.

Steve Ballmer

The Clippers' owner, who is the richest owner in professional sports and has overseen the team's new $2 billion arena.

Lawrence Frank

The Clippers' president of basketball operations, who made the recent roster moves to get the team younger.

Tyronn Lue

The Clippers' head coach, who has guided the team through the turbulent season.

Kris Dunn

A Clippers guard who has commented on the team's challenges this season.

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What they’re saying

“We've dealt with a lot this year. Our whole mentality throughout the year has just been to try to find a way. It's been tough.”

— Kris Dunn, Clippers guard

“As hard as these moves are, we're extremely excited about where we're going. We want to win now. We believe we are going to win now, and we're going to do it by getting younger.”

— Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations

“Yes, this is where I want to be. Having an owner like Mr. Ballmer, who's unbelievable, it does so many things for me. I trust everything we do, everything we decide to do. It's a partnership. I want to be here.”

— Tyronn Lue, Clippers head coach

What’s next

The NBA is expected to announce its findings from the investigation into the Clippers' endorsement deal with Kawhi Leonard in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Clippers' hosting of the NBA All-Star weekend is a testament to the team's remarkable turnaround, but the current season's chaos serves as a reminder that even successful franchises can face significant challenges. The team's future direction remains uncertain as it navigates the investigation, roster changes, and the quest to finally reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.