Kawhi Leonard offered a diplomatic response regarding the Clippers’ trade deadline moves, which included trading James Harden and Ivica Zubac, beat writer Joey Linn tweets.
“Just trying to get younger. We came in the year with the oldest team,” Leonard said. “It makes sense for them to try to get some assets and try to build for the future. It’s a big class coming in 2027, hopefully. They gotta do what’s best for them…. I thought we were tracking well the last six weeks. Everybody has human nature.
“It’s a complete turnaround from what I thought we could potentially do. Not saying we were contenders, but we thought we could make some noise or mess someone’s season up. Now the tides changed. We’ll get back into it, hopefully after All-Star.”
Leonard is signed through next season. Does he want to want to stay in the organization? Leonard sidestepped that question.
“Yeah, I mean right now I’m not thinking of anything else but trying to finish this season off. And that’s the main goal,” he said.
Here’s more on the Los Angeles teams:
- Numerous teams contacted the Clippers regarding a potential Leonard trade but none of the talks reached the serious stage, Chris Haynes said on NBA on Prime (Twitter link). However, Haynes hears that Leonard’s camp is not in any rush to initiate extension talks with the Clippers. That could be revisited this summer and Haynes anticipates Leonard will either pursue that extension or he’ll be dealt.
- Dalton Knecht was aggressively shopped by the Lakers prior to the trade deadline, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports. The Lakers are also one of the teams currently interested in Haywood Highsmith and possibly Cam Thomas after both players were waived by Brooklyn. Regardless of how the Lakers fill out their roster this season, they are in a position to pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo deal this summer, Woike notes. The team will have three first-round picks available on draft night to make their best offer, as well as more cap space than any other competitive team.
- Lakers star Luka Doncic will sit out today’s game against Golden State due to a left hamstring strain, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. There’s some optimism that Doncic is not dealing with a major issue with his hamstring, McMenamin adds. He was injured during Thursday’s game against Philadelphia.
- Little-used Lakers big man Maxi Kleber contributed four points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals in Thursday’s win over the Sixers. His teammates appreciate the veteran’s professionalism. “The ultimate professional,” guard Marcus Smart said, per Benjamin Royer of the Orange County Register. “There’s a reason why Maxi is still in this league, still playing and there’s a reason why he’s on this team with us. There’s a reason why we celebrate him the way we do.” Kleber will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Lakers can shop Knecht but will probably only be offered a 2nd rounder for him or a back of bench player. If he can’t be a big rotation guy for lakers other teams known his worth is not much.
He’s young and can shoot. Not sure why you think he can’t stick. Bryce McGowens is still in the league. Kennard and Heurter just got more than a second rounder and they make triple the salary that Knect does. Even Doug McDermott still has an NBA roster spot. This seems like haterism moreso than analysis.
Except since the rescinded trade, he also can’t shoot from deep. I think you’re both right. His value is super low right now, but with a change of scenery who knows? He did have some flashes early
Same reason he fell in the draft he is terrible at defense. Nothing wrong with his shot. He is a 3 pt shooter off the bench. His defense makes him a bench player
His defense makes him a bench player but shooting sub 32% from three on the season makes him practically unplayable.
I doubt Lakers were even looking for a 2nd rder just an expiring player at the same salary….I don’t think said player even had to be good (Ex Doug McDermott)
Dalton is one of the worst defenders in the entire NBA for his position
His mentals have been shook heavily since the Cha nixed trade
I wish him well but the sooner he departs Lakers the better for him (and us)
Leonard was determined to get to LA – didn’t matter which team. I doubt he moves on from there and offers them a home team discount – his injured past and age will limit his market. His next role is on court coach bringing up some kids with the hope he’s around long enough to win something.
couldn’t trade him cause ballmer wanted a player representing the team at the all star game in his new areana.
Kawhi’s not leaving the Clippers lol. Way too tied into Balmer
GSW messed up not pulling the trigger on Giannis.
They pulled the trigger but Bucks didn’t want just draft picks and Draymond Green as part of the deal. What more could have GSW done?
Worked harder to find a team to reroute green to.
Luka and Cam would be entertaining lols …
Who can throw up the most bad shots in a game.
What’s the deal with Knecht. Is it his D Lakers don’t like or what. He needs to get away from this team. Rotation players are all about fit and chemistry on D and O. He just needs the right fit imo.
He is the definition of a traffic cone
Yes, agree he needs to find a good home and soon, his mentals are completely shook
Haven’t watched enough Laker gms t really see. I thought coming out the draft he was ready to contribute.
Better or worse defender than Simons? Trying to gauge just how low his value has gotten.
Same tier, its basically non existent
Without a turn around idk if he see’s year 4 even on a vet min at this point. He has well entered Johnny Davis watch and I think he even knows it and its spooking him daily, its tough to watch unfold