Kawhi Leonard
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Kawhi Leonard looking to help Los Angeles Clippers improve.
The Los Angeles Clippers will now have one All-Star representing the home team thanks to Commissioner Adam Silver naming Kawhi Leonard to the team. NBA pundits and fans viewed Leonard as one of the top snubs since other names were selected over him. Leonard averaging incredible numbers and helping resurrect the Clippers’ season made it look like disrespect to some that he didn’t get selected with the reserves via coach voting.
An official statement from the league saw Silver naming Leonard as part of the team, despite no one needing to be replaced for injury just yet:
“LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as an addition to the U.S. player pool for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., and air on NBC and Peacock.”
Leonard will join the pool of American players to represent Team USA during the All-Star Game in less than two weeks. Both international and American players will be placed on different teams to change up the format. Silver hopes that the competition will improve to see a better game than recent seasons of disappointment.
Why Kawhi Leonard Gets Commissioner Selection
The strange dynamic of this year’s game will see a certain number of players needed for each side. Silver felt that another American was necessary for the Team USA side to have enough players to choose from. Leonard will join the other 24 All-Stars, and any future stars ruled out will have official replacements named.
American-born players Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell have expressed interest in playing for the international side due to their respective heritages. These scenarios could have easily impacted the roster size to warrant having another American added to the list of names available to play in the big game.
Leonard also improves the vibe for the Clippers, who will host the All-Star Game at Intuit Dome for the first time. Silver likely didn’t have to think too long since Kawhi was the biggest name snubbed, adds to the atmosphere, and gives him the extra American name needed for the roster.
Harden Trade Demand Helped Kawhi Leonard
Recent rumors suggest that James Harden has requested a trade away from the Los Angeles Clippers and could join the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harden has All-Star stats and could have posed a threat to Leonard for the Commissioner-selected All-Star spot.
However, the desire to leave the Clippers before the trade deadline will erase his chances of making it to represent the home team. Harden could also switch conferences from the West to the East to complicate the number of players needed from each side if he was selected.
Leonard ultimately won out over Eastern Conference players posing more of a realistic threat. Michael Porter and Brandon Ingram could have represented the United States, but Silver believed Kawhi deserved the spot most. All these other names could have their chance if more injuries come or players opt to rest that weekend.