Clippers Aim to 'Win with Kawhi' Long-Term

Team president reaffirms commitment to star player despite uncertainty over his future

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:20pm

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In an end-of-season news conference, LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank stated that the team's long-term plan is to win championships with star player Kawhi Leonard. This comes after Leonard recently sidestepped questions about his future with the team.

Why it matters

Kawhi Leonard is one of the NBA's top players, and the Clippers have built their team around him. Retaining Leonard long-term is crucial for the franchise's championship aspirations, so Frank's comments aim to provide reassurance to fans and the organization amid any uncertainty over Leonard's future plans.

The details

During his news conference, Lawrence Frank said the Clippers' 'plan is to win with Kawhi' and that the team has 'shown as an organization' its commitment to Leonard. This comes after the star player recently avoided directly answering questions about whether he plans to stay with the Clippers beyond this season.

  • The news conference took place on April 17, 2026, at the end of the Clippers' season.

The players

Lawrence Frank

The president of basketball operations for the LA Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard

A star player for the LA Clippers who is under contract but has not committed to the team long-term.

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What they’re saying

“Our plan is to win with Kawhi.”

— Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations, LA Clippers

The takeaway

The Clippers are making it clear that retaining Kawhi Leonard is their top priority, even as the star player has not committed to the team long-term. This reflects the franchise's belief that Leonard is the key to their championship aspirations, and they will do what it takes to keep him in Los Angeles.