Long before the trade chaos of this season, the Los Angeles Clippers organization had set its sights on what it wanted to accomplish this year: franchise history! With All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard playing alongside Paul George and then James Harden, the goal was to finally grab a seat in the NBA Finals for the first time in the history of the Clippers franchise. But injuries and early postseason eliminations prevented that, and now, with the aftermath of the massive trade deadline deal, the Clippers will have to rebuild their foundation with the newcomers and emerging concerns they will bring to the table.
In the new post-trade landscape of the 2025-26 season, the Clippers have not just acquired an additional roster piece, but also have a chance to start anew. The veteran statesman of this team, the 34-year-old two-time Finals MVP, finds himself solo briefly after an enviable trio that once brought promise now finds itself torn apart. And the veteran star is telling no lies.
Kawhi Leonard Shares Blunt Message on Clippers’ Future After Harden Is Traded
The Los Angeles Clippers sent 11-time All-Star James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for two-time All-Star guard Darius Garland and a future second-round pick, officially closing the book on the high-profile collaboration of Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard that began in earnest in 2023.
After a 124-91 loss to Harden’s new team, a matchup that underscored how far the Clippers have fallen this season, Leonard addressed the media with a level of honesty rarely heard from the usually reserved forward. He called the break-up unfortunate, said he “tried to help him stay,” and explained that roster churn in the NBA is just part of the business.
“It’s the NBA. We know why these guys left. I wish them the best of luck. Tried to help him stay, but business calls… It’s over. Guys are gone.”
Kawhi Leonard on being the last player left from the Clippers trio after Harden was traded:
“It’s the NBA. We know why these guys left. I wish them the best of luck. Tried to help him stay, but business calls… It’s over. Guys are gone.”
via @joeylinn_ pic.twitter.com/vvuwdMZ0Mz
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 5, 2026
In summary, Leonard spoke very directly and clearly. He made it clear that he fully recognizes this is the new reality in Los Angeles, one without the mixed trio that, even with its talent, never managed to deliver deep postseason runs. When he says “it’s over,” he ties a neat end knot on the chapter that began with high expectations in 2023.
The story doesn’t end here. The Clippers’ management, under the reputed President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank, boasted about the Harden-for-Garland deal as a calculated maneuver in favor of youngsters and long-term prospects.
Frank eulogized Harden’s contributions in the City of Angeles before switching sides to highlight Garland’s abilities, who is just 26.
That juxtaposition of Leonard facing reality while executives sell the future defines where this franchise is right now: past one idea, and still scratching for the next.
The Clippers’ future isn’t as bright as once envisioned when that star trio assembled, but Leonard’s candid reaction makes one thing clear: he accepts the change. The next chapter will demand adaptability, starting with integrating Garland and redefining what winning looks like in L.A.
