LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard delivered a blunt assessment of the Los Angeles Clippers’ title prospects after a tight win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, telling reporters the window for true contention this season has closed.
Asked what the team still needs to become a legitimate contender, the two-time Finals MVP replied, “Just development over time. I think it’s over now. It’s a fourth of the season left.”
Leonard tempered the remark by adding, “Every day is a day to grow, a day to learn and get better,” noting the club will reassess its progress in the next two weeks. Still, his comments underscored a dramatic shift in expectation following the trade deadline.
Roster overhaul resets timeline
Los Angeles traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and sent center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers in a package headlined by Bennedict Mathurin and future draft picks. Garland has yet to suit up, and the reconfigured roster is noticeably younger, signaling a pivot away from an immediate championship push.
Surge after slow start
The Clippers opened the campaign at 6-21 but have posted a 21-7 record since mid-December, climbing back into the Western Conference play-in picture. Despite the turnaround, Leonard stressed the team is not celebrating.
“We’re not in here saying, ‘Oh, we were 6-21, look how great we’ve been doing.’ If we get over .500, that would be great. I know the organization would love that. Just keep pushing to see if we can get a playoff seed,” he said.
With roughly one-quarter of the schedule remaining, Leonard’s focus is on incremental improvement rather than chasing a championship that he believes is out of reach this year.
Source: Hoops Wire
