Clippers enter offseason with questions, starting with Kawhi Leonard

Still, since Dec. 19, the Clippers went 36-19, one of the better marks in the West over that stretch. It came with a noticeable shift, leaning more into younger players and moving away from an aging core.

That part felt like progress. Everything else feels up in the air.

As ESPN’s Bobby Marks outlined, the organization is staring at an offseason filled with major decisions, starting with Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard is entering the final year of his contract and is extension-eligible after the Finals. The numbers will not be small. The Clippers can offer roughly two years and more than $120 million.

That leads to the obvious question: Do you commit long term, or look for another path?

Team president Lawrence Frank has signaled a desire to keep building with Leonard.

“We can continue and look forward to building with Kawhi while still acknowledging we’re going to need more,” Frank said. “Kawhi’s been a great partner, and I anticipate him being a great partner moving forward.”

Leonard, 35 in June, remains highly productive. He averaged 27.9 points this season and delivered one of the most efficient campaigns of his career. He also appeared in 66 games, a notable number given his recent history.

Still, the timing of his contract and the team’s direction make this a defining decision.

Hovering over it all is an ongoing NBA investigation tied to allegations involving Leonard’s endorsement dealings. The outcome could carry consequences ranging from fines to potential loss of draft assets, adding another layer of uncertainty to the Clippers’ long-term planning.

The roster itself is not settled either.

Bennedict Mathurin is headed for restricted free agency. John Collins is unrestricted. Veterans such as Bogdan Bogdanovic, Brook Lopez and Nicolas Batum are tied to team options, giving the front office flexibility if it chooses to use it.

That flexibility appears intentional.

The Clippers positioned themselves to maintain financial breathing room this summer and, more importantly, into next year. The question is how aggressive they plan to be.

There is also a clear roster need. Frontcourt depth and a secondary playmaker behind Darius Garland remain priorities, particularly for a team that is trying to balance competing now with building something sustainable.

The late-season run offered a glimpse of what that might look like. The offseason will determine whether it actually gets there.