Clippers' Lawrence Frank Reaffirms Commitment to Kawhi Leonard in End-of-Season Presser
LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank stated the team's plan to win with Kawhi Leonard during an end-of-season news conference. The Clippers lost to the Warriors in the play-in on Wednesday and made key trades ahead of the deadline. An ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard's endorsement deal with bankrupt Aspiration did not impact the season, according to Frank.
espn.comLOS ANGELES (Substrate) — LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank held an end-of-season news conference on Friday, where he reaffirmed the team's long-term commitment to Kawhi Leonard, ESPN reported. Frank expressed the organization's intent to build around Leonard and plan discussions, while noting an ongoing NBA probe into his endorsement deal has no impact.
“'Our plan is to win with Kawhi.'”
Statements on Future with Leonard
' Following the Clippers' play-in loss, Leonard sidestepped a question about his future, stating, 'Let me cry about this loss a little bit more. ' Kawhi Leonard will turn 35 in June.
Season Performance and Play-In Loss
The LA Clippers lost to the Warriors in the play-in on Wednesday.
9 points per game and played 65 regular-season games this season. This is Leonard's second season over 60 games played since the 2018-19 season. The LA Clippers have made the playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons.
The team missed the playoffs in the 2021-22 season, when Kawhi Leonard missed the entire season due to a torn ACL.
Trades Ahead of Deadline
The LA Clippers traded guard James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland ahead of the trade deadline.
The team also traded center Ivica Zubac to Indiana for a package that included Bennedict Mathurin ahead of the trade deadline.
Ongoing NBA Investigation
The NBA launched an investigation into Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration in September.
The investigation into Leonard's deal with Aspiration is ongoing, and Aspiration, the former team sponsor involved in the deal, is now bankrupt. Frank downplayed the NBA's ongoing investigation into Leonard's Aspiration deal, stating it had no season impact despite the sponsor's bankruptcy.
Story Timeline
6 events- Friday
LA Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank held an end-of-season news conference and reaffirmed the team's long-term commitment to Kawhi Leonard.
1 sourceESPN - Wednesday
The LA Clippers lost to the Warriors in the play-in, and Kawhi Leonard sidestepped a question about his future.
1 sourceESPN - Ahead of the trade deadline
The LA Clippers traded guard James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and traded center Ivica Zubac to Indiana for a package including Bennedict Mathurin.
1 sourceESPN - September
The NBA launched an investigation into Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration.
1 sourceESPN - 2025-26 season
Kawhi Leonard finished with a career-high 27.9 points per game and played 65 regular-season games, his second season over 60 games since 2018-19.
1 sourceESPN - 2021-22 season
The LA Clippers missed the playoffs, and Kawhi Leonard missed the entire season due to a torn ACL.
1 sourceESPN
Potential Impact
- 01
Potential contract discussions with Kawhi Leonard leading to long-term extension with Clippers.
- 02
Ongoing NBA investigation could result in no penalties if Frank's assessment holds, maintaining team stability.
- 03
Recent trades may improve team roster for next season, supporting goal to win with Leonard.
- 04
Leonard's age and injury history might influence future performance and team planning.
Transparency Panel
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