Clippers Remain Committed to Winning with Kawhi Leonard Long-Term

Team president Lawrence Frank reaffirms the organization's plan to build around the star forward.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:51pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court with players' silhouettes in dynamic, overlapping shapes and planes of bold, saturated colors.The Clippers' commitment to Kawhi Leonard reflects their belief that the team can still contend for a championship by building around the superstar forward.Inglewood Today

LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank stated the team's long-term goal is to 'win with Kawhi' Leonard, reaffirming the organization's commitment to the star forward. This comes after Leonard sidestepped questions about his future following the Clippers' playoff elimination. Frank expressed optimism about the team's competitive position, citing their 15-year playoff streak, emerging young talent, draft capital, and cap space.

Why it matters

Kawhi Leonard's future with the Clippers has been a source of speculation, especially after the team made several high-profile trades at the deadline. Frank's comments provide clarity on the organization's plans to build around Leonard long-term, which is crucial for the team's championship aspirations.

The details

Despite the Clippers missing the playoffs this season, Leonard is coming off the best offensive year of his career, averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game. The team made several deadline deals, including trading away James Harden and Ivica Zubac, which raised questions about their long-term approach. However, Frank emphasized the team's 15-year playoff streak, young talent, and future cap space as reasons for optimism about their competitive outlook.

  • Kawhi Leonard will turn 35 in June 2026.
  • The Clippers were eliminated from the playoffs on April 12, 2026.

The players

Lawrence Frank

The president of basketball operations for the LA Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard

The star forward for the LA Clippers, who is coming off the best offensive season of his career.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Our plan is to win with Kawhi. We obviously showed as an organization that we want to continue and we are driven to win. So, at the appropriate time, we'll sit down with Kawhi, and very similar to 2024, lay out our plan. And if our goals are aligned, then we'd like to win with Kawhi.”

— Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations, LA Clippers

“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more. We'll have our discussions when that time comes.”

— Kawhi Leonard

What’s next

The NBA's ongoing investigation into Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with the now-bankrupt Aspiration company is expected to continue, with the league looking into whether the arrangement was a way for the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap.

The takeaway

The Clippers' commitment to building around Kawhi Leonard long-term provides stability and clarity for the organization, even as they navigate the aftermath of a disappointing playoff miss. Leonard's future will remain a key storyline, but the team's stated plan to 'win with Kawhi' suggests they believe they can contend with the superstar forward as the centerpiece.