The LA Clippers came alive one last time in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets but fell short with a 101-120 loss. With that, they waved goodbye to the 2024-25 season, tasting another bitter defeat. Most importantly, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard played unrestricted minutes in all seven games, leaving no room for injury excuses. Yet, when the lights were brightest, they faded. Now, the Clippers head into an uncertain offseason, facing familiar disappointment and questions they can no longer avoid.
What does the future hold for the Harden-Leonard duo? Kawhi faced the question head-on in his postgame press conference, offering a response laced with silence, ambiguity, and a future that feels anything but certain. “I don’t know right now,” Leonard said. “I guess we’re still playing at a high level, in a sense. But that’s a hard question to answer right now.”
Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst, Ramona Shelbourne, and Tim MacMahon seem to be understanding the possibilities of the two Clippers stars’ fate with the franchise. James Harden is turning 36 this August, while Shelbourne has discussed his Leo traits, the former cannot ignore the fact that the Beard might want a new contract. “Harden has a $36M player option. I assume he’s not picking that up, he’ll want to do a new deal,” Windy noted. He then asked MacMahon about his thoughts on the same. The ESPN veteran said, “You know what? If you’re not keeping James, I think you’ve got to entertain shopping for Kawhi.” Meanwhile, Brian Windhorst gives the big news: “James wants to be there.” James Harden wants to play for LA it is as simple as that.
Jan 22, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; LA Clippers guard James Harden (left) and forward Kawhi Leonard (right) during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
“He’s going to want to be there,” Ramona Shelbourne said about James Harden. “I give him another couple of years. They don’t have their pick for like forever. I mean, the Thunder own their picks. Philly has one of their—I mean, it’s—there’s no reason for them to tank. And I still don’t think you have much value in Kawhi. As good as he was right now, how are you trading for him?”
Harden is about to hit free agency this offseason with a $36 million player option in hand. But with Kawhi Leonard, whom Tim MacMahon addressed as the “part-time guy,” the Clippers need to make arrangements and considerations. “You know, this is the modern NBA. You can’t have a 50 million dollar player on your books,” Windy added. The Klaw’s 3-year, $149M contract expires after the 2026-27 season. Now, the question is, given his record of injuries and absence, can the Clippers afford to keep him?
ESPN insiders hinted at deeper, private conversations unfolding within the Clippers‘ front office. While their discussion aired publicly, it revealed internal doubts about James Harden’s future and Kawhi Leonard’s long-term value. With contract talks looming, LA’s next moves may already be taking shape behind closed doors.
Amid James Harden’s contract talks, what’s about to happen with Kawhi Leonard?
As James Harden enters free agency with a $36 million player option, the ESPN panel sees no reason he won’t stay in LA, at least for now. “He had a very good year,” said Tim MacMahon, adding that Harden “was worth his salary.” Brian Windhorst agreed, predicting the Clippers will re-sign him soon. The only question? “How much and how long?” Ramona Shelburne chimed in with a likely answer: a “one-in-one, two-in-one, something like that.”
But while Harden remains a viable investment, Kawhi Leonard’s case gets tricky. Windhorst boldly claimed, “Kawhi is not a max player anymore,” explaining he took “slightly less of the max.” Though still close, his $149 million deal runs through 2026-27, and his injury history looms large. “You can’t have a 50 million dollar player on your books,” Windhorst warned. Yet the Clippers, as Ramona put it, made a choice “to stay competitive, have a good team,” especially with a brand-new dome to fill.
Image Credits: Imagn
Now, with big contracts, bigger questions, and no picks to fall back on, the Clippers stand at a crossroads. Harden wants in. Kawhi is a riddle. The spotlight is back, and this time, the front office must answer: Just decisions that could shape their future.
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