Kawhi Leonard on Clippers' Need for Improvement

Following a disappointing 135-118 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Cup tournament, Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard shared his thoughts on how the team can reverse their challenging season. In a post-game interview, Leonard stated, "Just gotta get the right lineups on the court, I guess. Get some more talent. Play with better talent and see what happens."

When pressed on whether he was suggesting the team should seek outside talent, Leonard clarified that he believes the focus should be on the current roster. "I'm saying like playing better," he emphasized. "Like we all just gotta play better. Make shots, move the ball a little bit more, trust one another and just be better."

Season Struggles and Injuries

The loss dropped the Clippers to a disappointing 5-13 record this season, marking them with the third-worst record in the Western Conference. Historically, the Clippers have had more success, making three consecutive playoff appearances and not finishing with a losing record since the 2010-11 season. Expectations were high following their 51 wins in the 2023-24 season and 50 wins the season prior, but this year’s performance has left fans concerned.

Injuries have been a significant factor in this season's struggles, with Leonard missing 10 games and fellow player Bradley Beal sidelined for the entire season due to a hip fracture. Despite Leonard's availability being a concern in previous seasons, the team managed to perform well; however, this year they hold a disappointing 2-8 record in games without him.

Lacking Depth and Potential Trade Considerations

The Clippers boast a roster featuring other talents, such as leading scorer James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and John Collins, yet the team has struggled to find chemistry. Despite adding several seasoned veterans like Beal, Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, and Nicolas Batum, the team is left wondering if having the oldest roster in NBA history is negatively impacting their success.

Leonard, who is averaging 23.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 steals per game when healthy, provides a glimmer of hope. For the Clippers to make a turnaround, it may be critical for Kawhi, Harden, and Zubac to remain healthy and on the court together. However, the lack of quality depth behind their star players suggests that some roster changes or trades might be necessary to inject new life into the team.