Several members of the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly want to move on from Kawhi Leonard, describing his tenure with the team as a “nightmare,” according to Ashish Mathur of Dallas Hoops Journal.
Leonard joined the Clippers in the 2019 offseason, but has played in only 42% of the team’s games since arriving. “He’s an incredibly talented player when he’s healthy, but as everyone knows, he’s rarely healthy and his camp is just so difficult to deal with,” a Clippers source said.
Frustration over Leonard’s availability has been a recurring theme, ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported. A former staffer noted that injuries and frequent absences created fatigue within the organization.
The Clippers considered a four-year, $220 million maximum contract extension before the 2023–24 season but opted to preserve salary cap flexibility. Discussions with Paul George, who later signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024, also influenced their approach to Leonard.
Leonard missed the start of the 2024–25 campaign due to right knee inflammation from a Team USA offseason setback. He sat out 34 games before returning on January 4, 2025, against the Atlanta Hawks.
Afterward, he briefly left to support family affected by Southern California wildfires. Upon returning, Leonard delivered several strong performances, including a 39-point outing against the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs.
Despite flashes of brilliance, his inconsistent presence fueled concerns about durability. Leonard, who turned 32 in June, appeared in just 37 regular-season games in 2024–25.
He averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists this season but remains under contract through the 2026–27 campaign. Team members and front-office sources indicate that his eventual departure may be viewed as a relief for the Clippers’ long-term roster planning.
