Clippers Season Preview: Title Hopes Rest On Fragile Knees Of Kawhi Leonard and Fading Star Of James Harden

Clippers Preview

A look at the Los Angeles Clippers entering the 2024-25 season …

• New Faces: Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn, Kevin Porter Jr., Mo Bamba, Cameron Christie
• Key Losses: Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Mason Plumlee, Daniel Theis, Brandon Boston Jr.

Overview

Kawhi Leonard hasn’t finished a playoff run with the Clippers since 2020, and that’s the story of his time in LA. When healthy, he’s one of the best two-way players ever to suit up, a guy who’s taken down LeBron’s Heat and Steph’s Warriors on his way to two rings.

But “when healthy” is the catch here — it’s been one setback after another for Leonard. First, it was the chronic quad issues that plagued him with the Spurs, then the ACL tear in 2021, and now, ongoing knee problems that have sidelined him for the last two postseasons.

Looking back, the Raptors worked magic with Leonard in 2019, managing his minutes, managing his body, and managing to win a championship. But those days are long gone.

Leonard is still battling the same knee issues, and it’s gotten so bad he had to withdraw from Team USA for the Paris Olympics. Now, the Clippers are once again managing his pain, hoping he’ll be ready for opening night. But “hoping” has been the theme of the Clippers ever since Leonard got to town.

Paul George? He’s gone. He left for Philadelphia to chase a ring. Read between the lines, and it feels like a vote of no confidence in this Clippers experiment.

What’s left is Leonard, still trying to get right, and James Harden, brought in on a two-year, $70 million deal. Harden was once an MVP, but that was a long time ago. He’s 35, hasn’t made an All-Star team in two years, and is on his fourth team in four seasons.

Despite that, Harden’s convinced he can still be “the guy.” He told reporters on media day he plans to run the offense, pointing to Luka Doncic’s Finals run as proof that Harden’s style can still win.

But that’s the problem — Harden’s playing the hits from 2017, and the league’s moved on.

This roster is a patchwork job now. Harden and Leonard are at the top, with role players like Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Kris Dunn rounding out the group.

These are complementary pieces who need stars to shine, but with Leonard’s health in doubt and Harden’s best days behind him, the Clippers are in a precarious spot.

Best-case scenario? Leonard stays healthy enough, Harden rediscovers some of that old magic, and the role players fall into place. Tyronn Lue has a knack for getting the most out of his rosters, and if all goes well, the Clippers could be a tough out in the first round, maybe even a second-round surprise. But that’s their ceiling.

Worst-case? Leonard can’t shake the knee pain, Harden tries to do too much, and his hamstrings give out. The supporting cast loses faith, and even Lue can’t keep this thing afloat. The Clippers miss the playoffs, the new Intuit Dome is a ghost town, and the Thunder are grinning ear-to-ear because they own the Clippers’ draft picks.

By then, the Clippers will be paying Leonard and Harden a combined $86 million for 2025-26, staring at what could have been while their picks land in Oklahoma City.