NBA Play-In: Stephen Curry and the Warriors Eliminate the Clippers
16 avr. 2026
Nicolas Flamecourt
Kawhi Leonard keeps Clippers future uncertain after playoff elimination
Contract discussions - The All-Star forward remains non-committal about his Los Angeles future following the team's season-ending loss to Golden State Warriors, as he enters the final year of his current deal with multiple uncertainties surrounding the franchise.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) leaves the court after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard‘s future with the Los Angeles Clippers has become one of the most intriguing storylines heading into the offseason. Following Wednesday night’s crushing 126-121 playoff elimination loss to the Golden State Warriors, the All-Star forward remained deliberately vague about his plans with the franchise.
When asked whether he could envision a future with the Clippers, Leonard deflected with characteristic brevity. « Let me cry about this loss a little bit more, » Leonard said. « We’ll have our discussions when that time comes. »
Leonard eligible for lucrative extension amid trade speculation
The timing of these questions isn’t coincidental. Leonard is eligible for a contract extension starting the day after the NBA Finals, with the Clippers able to offer a maximum of $126.1 million over two additional seasons according to ESPN‘s Bobby Marks.
However, the landscape around Leonard has shifted dramatically this season. The Warriors were among several teams that inquired about Leonard’s availability following the February trades that sent James Harden and Ivica Zubac elsewhere. Though those discussions fizzled, there’s expectation they could be revisited during the offseason.
Wednesday’s elimination game highlighted both Leonard’s value and the Clippers’ roster limitations. Warriors forward Draymond Green essentially neutralized Leonard with suffocating defense, holding him to just nine points on eight shots across 51 half-court matchups – the most by any defender on Leonard this season.
« Draymond Green, Hall of Fame defender, » Leonard acknowledged. « It was hard to even get shots up. » Leonard managed 21 points but made only one shot over the final 16 minutes while committing five second-half turnovers.
Aspiration investigation not a concern for Leonard
Beyond basketball considerations, Leonard addressed the ongoing NBA investigation into his endorsement deal with now-bankrupt former team sponsor Aspiration. The league launched the probe in September following reports that the deal potentially circumvented salary cap rules.
« I never thought about it too much other than questions asked. You’ll have to ask the NBA, not me. I’m not the one doing the investigation, » Leonard explained. « I think we’re going to be in the clear. I’m not stressing it. »
Despite the uncertainty, Leonard delivered arguably his best individual season, averaging a career-high 27.9 points while finishing top-10 in field goal percentage, 2-point percentage, and 3-point percentage. Most importantly, he appeared in 66 games – his second-highest total since 2016-2017.
The Clippers’ remarkable turnaround from 6-21 to finishing 36-19 demonstrated resilience, but Leonard’s future remains the franchise’s biggest question mark entering a pivotal offseason.
Sylvain Sultat follows the NBA on a daily basis, covering individual performances, team dynamics, and the league's greatest stories. On Be-Basketball, he breaks down the latest American basketball news with passion and consistency, always on the lookout for the trends shaping the world of basketball.
Comments (0)