Clippers continue to make clear they’re keeping Kawhi Leonard, James Harden

Despite a sluggish start, the Clippers have no plans to tear things down.

League sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic that the Clippers would actually prefer to add an impact piece to complement James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, rather than sell off veterans.

The timing matters. Los Angeles has won five straight and believes it’s trending the right way, with no indication Harden is looking for an exit. Harden, 36, holds a $42 million player option for next season and is widely expected to pick it up.

Leonard, 34, is owed $50 million this season and again next year, giving the Clippers a clear financial runway — and also a clear line they don’t want to cross.

According to Amick, L.A. remains focused on preserving flexibility for the summer of 2027 and will be hesitant to take on contracts that extend beyond that window.

Basically, the Clippers see this as a chance to build forward, not cash out. But only on their terms.

“If there’s a player or two coming their way in that negotiation who can help with this current challenge, then that’s a discussion worth having,” Amick wrote. “But the idea that the Clippers’ abysmal start would lead to their roster serving as a discount rack for rivals has proved to be off-base — and likely will remain so going forward. As it stands, they’re 2 1/2 games out of Play-In position (Portland is 10th) and 9 1/2 games back from the sixth spot (Minnesota).”