The Los Angeles Clippers made major moves before the NBA trade deadline. They traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round pick. Los Angeles also sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and valuable first-round draft capital. This Clippers team may look different, but Kawhi Leonard wants his squad to ride the momentum from their strong play.
What Did Clippers Kawhi Leonard Reveal About His Initial Conversation With Darius Garland?
Garland has yet to debut for the Clippers due to a right toe sprain he suffered on Jan. 14 with the Cavaliers. However, he and Leonard spoke briefly about how they can complement each other on the court when Garland makes his Clippers debut.
“We really haven’t got to talk too much … but just now, talking about the game, seeing what we see, talking about the different players that we like on the floor,” expressed Leonard.
Garland has only played 26 games this season due to various toe injuries. He underwent offseason surgery on his left big toe, which forced him to miss the first seven games of the campaign. The Clippers have not provided an official update on Garland’s current right toe sprain, but sources say he “is expected to be available shortly after the NBA All-Star break.”
Garland averages 18.0 points, 6.9 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and shoots 45.1% from the field on the campaign. At 26 years old, he gives Los Angeles, the oldest team in the league by average age (29.7), a younger point guard to build around, as he enters his prime.
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The two-time All-Star has two more seasons on his five-year, $197.2 million rookie contract extension. In contrast, Harden holds a $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign. He turns 37 years old this summer.
Los Angeles Clippers Look to Keep Up Their Winning Ways With a New Squad
Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-96 on Feb. 8. Leonard scored 41 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the victory. After the game, he spoke about the team’s strong mentality after undergoing major changes last week.
“We got a good group. The guys are level-headed. They love to play basketball, so we’re just going out and competing every night … starting on the defensive end and getting out in transition,” said Leonard confidently.
Los Angeles hit rock bottom at a 6-21 record on Dec. 18. However, since this date, the Clippers are 19-7, including two separate six-game win streaks. They hold the ninth seed in the Western Conference with a 25-27 overall record. Los Angeles does not own its pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, so it has no incentive to tank for a high pick. When Garland debuts, expect the Clippers to still make a push for the playoffs.
