With a 26–28 record, the Los Angeles Clippers hold the 10th spot in the Western Conference. The franchise is in a position to either make a playoff push or drop closer to the draft lottery.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has been a top performer for the franchise, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over 41 games. He is set to play in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
In an interview with NBA insider Chris Haynes, Leonard expressed his thoughts heading into the second half of the season. He does not currently think that the Clippers are top contenders in the league.
"Right now, with the roster, we're not contenders. We've got a lot of young guys that are learning. We want Darius [Garland] to be healthy for the second half… We really need him ready to go next year. That's my mindset… Try to get a playoff berth, if we can, and just try to have some fun in the playoffs."
Change in Los Angeles
At the beginning of the 2025–2026 season, James Harden was a key component of Los Angeles' core. Harden averaged 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists over 44 games for the franchise.
Earlier this month, Harden was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second-round draft pick. Garland has been sidelined since Jan. 14 due to a toe injury.
Garland averaged 18.0 points and 6.9 assists over 26 games this season. There is no set timetable for the 26-year-old guard's debut with the Clippers.
Ivica Zubac is another top name that Los Angeles decided to move prior to February's deadline, averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Zubac was traded to the Indiana Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.
As suggested by Leonard, the Clippers will focus on developing a younger cast of players in the second half of the season. Although Leonard is still leading the squad, the departures of Harden and Zubac suggest that a new era in Los Angeles is on the horizon.
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