Kawhi Leonard Ignores Questions About Future- ‘Let Me Cry About This Loss A Little Bit More’

Kawhi Leonard declined to talk about his future with the Los Angeles Clippers after they were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the play-in game.

The Warriors defeated the Clippers 126-121. Reporters asked whether Leonard plans to stay with the Clippers after this season, but he declined to answer.

“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more,” Leonard said.

Leonard scored 21 points in the loss. Benedict Mathurin led the Clippers in scoring with 23 points. Darius Garland also scored 21, while shooting better than Leonard from the field.

In the 2026-27 season, Leonard will be in the last year of his three-year, $149 million extension with the Clippers. He will be 35 at the end of next season.

Leonard joined the Clippers during the 2019 offseason. He signed with the Clippers after they made a massive trade to get Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was sent to the Thunder for George. George left the Clippers during the 2024 offseason to join the Philadelphia 76ers.

However, Leonard was not left without a star. In the 2023-24 season, the Clippers made a trade for James Harden. Entering this season, the Clippers looked to build around the star duo of Leonard and Harden. However, Harden requested a trade at the deadline and was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

This leaves Leonard on the Clippers without another star. The last time he was unhappy with his situation was with the San Antonio Spurs in 2018. He requested a trade and was sent to the Toronto Raptors. 

Leonard has not officially requested a trade from the Clippers, but teams like the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat have already shown interest in trading for him. 

The Clippers do not own their first-round pick outright until 2030. Getting draft assets would be a priority.