INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard is healthy going into the offseason for the first time since 2020, having played just 37 games before the Los Angeles Clippers lost in the first round of the playoffs. The team with the oldest roster in the league is staking its future on the two-time Finals MVP and All-Star James Harden.
“I definitely believe in those two,” Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Monday.
Leonard didn’t make his season debut until January while dealing with inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee. He averaged 21.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists while playing 31.9 minutes nightly in the regular season. He has two years left on his current deal.
“There’s another level for him out there that he’s going to get to next year,” said Frank, who spoke via video from New York, where he’s dealing with a family medical issue. “I think looking at next year that we can be better with more games from Kawhi.”
Originally signed to complement Leonard and now former Clipper Paul George, Harden ‘s role changed this season. He was tasked with picking up much of the load until Leonard was able to play. He responded with averages of 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds. He averaged a team-high 35 minutes while playing in 79 games.
But he disappeared in the team’s blowout loss to Denver in Game 7 of the playoffs with seven points on 2 for 8 shooting and 13 assists.
The Clippers failed to advance out of the first round for the third straight season, despite going 50-32 and earning the fifth seed in the rugged Western Conference in their first season at the new Intuit Dome.
“Our players are embarrassed about Game 7 and they’re really, really upset that we lost the series,” Frank said.
Harden has a player option for next season, when he’ll be 36. Frank said he’s given no consideration to Harden not sticking around.
“We have a great level of appreciation for what James did this year,” he said. “I’m going in with the intent that if he doesn’t pick up his option that we’re going to be able to reach an agreement that works well for James and works well for the Clippers.”
Nicolas Batum also has a player option for next season. He shot 43% from 3-point range in 78 regular-season games.
“Yes, 1000%, we hope that Nico comes back,” Frank said.
The Clippers got career years from Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell, who was injured coming out of the All-Star break.
Powell is eligible for an extension, while Amir Coffey and Ben Simmons are unrestricted free agents.
Frank envisions the Clippers winning 50 to 55 games next season while getting front court help and another playmaker through free agency or trades.
“It was great that we were healthy for the first time in a long time, but that doesn’t mean you only get one shot at it,” Frank said. “We’ll keep on taking cracks at it and at the same time, we’ve always been open-minded and learning the errors of our way and finding areas where we can correct them and get better.”
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