Clippers President Reaffirms Commitment to Kawhi Leonard

Despite rumors of a potential split, the Clippers say they want to continue winning with their star player.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:20am

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, geometric shapes in navy, crimson, and gold, representing the complex dynamics surrounding Kawhi Leonard's future with the Los Angeles Clippers.The Clippers' future with Kawhi Leonard remains uncertain, as the team must navigate complex contract and endorsement issues while trying to build a championship contender.Los Angeles Today

After the Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs, speculation swirled that the team could be looking to move on from star player Kawhi Leonard. However, Clippers president Lawrence Frank has reaffirmed the organization's commitment to keeping Leonard and building around him to win a championship.

Why it matters

Kawhi Leonard is one of the NBA's elite players, and his future with the Clippers has major implications for the team's championship aspirations. If the Clippers were to part ways with Leonard, it would be a significant setback for the franchise and require a major roster overhaul.

The details

Leonard arrived in Los Angeles in 2019 with championship expectations, but his tenure with the Clippers has not fully lived up to the hype. After the team's recent Play-In tournament loss, Leonard delivered an emotional response when asked about his future. However, Clippers president Lawrence Frank stated that the organization's 'plan is to win with Kawhi' and that they will sit down with him to 'lay out our plan' and see if their 'goals are aligned'.

  • The Clippers were eliminated from the NBA playoffs on April 18, 2026.
  • Leonard is entering the final year of his current max contract with the Clippers.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star player for the Los Angeles Clippers who has won NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors.

Lawrence Frank

The president of the Los Angeles Clippers, who has reaffirmed the team's commitment to keeping Kawhi Leonard.

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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, Los Angeles Clippers

What’s next

The Clippers and Kawhi Leonard will meet in the coming months to discuss the team's plans and see if their goals are aligned for the future.

The takeaway

Despite the Clippers' early playoff exit and the swirling rumors, the organization remains committed to building around Kawhi Leonard and winning a championship with him. The coming months will be crucial in determining if Leonard and the Clippers can find a path forward together.