Clippers’ Fear of Losing Kawhi Leonard Shaped Key Decisions Since 2019
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LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers have spent six years making personnel, medical and public-relations choices with one overriding concern: keeping Kawhi Leonard happy and under contract, according to multiple team and league sources.
ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported that the dynamic began moments after Leonard chose the Clippers in July 2019. During free-agency negotiations, Leonard’s uncle and adviser, Dennis Robertson, asked for part ownership of the franchise, use of a private jet, a home and guaranteed off-court endorsement income. Similar requests were made to the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers. A source said the Clippers denied those specific demands because they were not permitted under the collective bargaining agreement, but the organization agreed to other accommodations.
Among the concessions, Leonard was initially allowed to live in San Diego and commute to Los Angeles by helicopter. He also skipped selected media sessions and community events and placed members of his personal circle on the team’s payroll, another source said. A club official disputed parts of that account, asserting some of the reported requests never occurred and others were misrepresented.
Leonard’s camp established strict rules on how the team could speak about him publicly. Former head coach Doc Rivers drew a $50,000 league fine in November 2019 when he told reporters Leonard “feels great” on a night the forward sat out for load management. The club’s refusal to elaborate was viewed internally as proof of loyalty.
Injuries have limited the two-time Finals MVP to 58 percent of the Clippers’ regular-season games, and the franchise has won only three playoff series during his tenure. Still, fear of alienating Leonard persisted, an ex-staffer noted, citing how quickly the player’s relationship with the San Antonio Spurs unraveled after a disagreement over medical care.
Since 2019, the Clippers have faced two tampering lawsuits, at least two league fines tied to Leonard and three NBA investigations, including an active probe into whether the team circumvented the salary cap through Leonard’s endorsement deal with financial firm Aspiration. “This one directly questions Steve Ballmer’s character,” a former staffer said of the current inquiry. “At some point, Steve has got to get out of the Kawhi business.”
Team employees described Leonard’s health information as “sacred secrets.” News releases and social-media posts referencing him were vetted by senior leadership and, at times, by the player’s representatives. One former staffer recalled “extreme angst” in the medical department, adding that Clippers personnel “weren’t really allowed to touch Kawhi ever.”
The organization’s apprehension eased somewhat in 2023. Eligible for a four-year, $220 million extension, Leonard accepted a three-year, $153 million contract that runs through the 2026-27 season. Team executives believed prospective suitors would have required a thorough medical examination, which helped Los Angeles secure the shorter agreement. Several rival general managers told ESPN they expect the partnership to end when the deal expires. “They’re done building around him,” a former Clippers employee said. “They know that, and he knows that.”
Source: Hoops Rumors
