Kawhi Leonard shared his thoughts on Darius Garland joining the Clippers after the James Harden trade, praising his talent, passing, and shooting.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard shared his thoughts on the arrival of Darius Garland following the blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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"Obviously, a multiple All-Star, very talented guard, 26, probably still got a bright side to him. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. At the moment, he's dealing with some little nagging injuries. So I'm gonna take time with him and make sure he's fully healthy when he gets back. But, you know, pace, a guy that knows how to pass the ball, can shoot threes, has amazing touch, competitor," Leonard said per Clippers writer Joey Linn.
The Clippers traded James Harden to the Cavaliers in exchange for Garland and a 2026 second-round pick. Garland, who was drafted No. 5 overall by Cleveland in 2019, was the longest-tenured player on the Cavaliers roster.
This season, Garland has struggled with injuries. He missed the early portion of 2025-26 recovering from offseason left toe surgery and has not played since January 14 due to a Grade 1 sprain in his right great toe. Despite limited action, he averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games.
Leonard emphasized the importance of getting Garland fully healthy before bringing him back into the Clippers rotation. Known for his pace, passing, and shooting ability, Garland adds another playmaker and scoring threat to a Los Angeles team that is now reshaping its identity without Harden.
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