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Kawhi Leonard on Clippers’ contention hopes: ‘I think it’s over now’

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 7:00 PM ET

The Clippers didn’t just reshape their roster at the trade deadline. They reshaped expectations.

And if you’re listening closely, Kawhi Leonard all but said it out loud.

After Thursday’s narrow win over Denver, Leonard was asked what the Clippers still need to do to become true contenders. His answer stopped the room.

“Just development over time,” Leonard told reporters. “I think it’s over now. It’s a fourth of the season left.”

That’s not frustration talking. That’s reality setting in.

Leonard tried to soften it, adding, “Every day is a day to grow. A day to learn and get better. So just gotta keep looking over time and see in two weeks if we’re getting better and see what happens from there.”

But the message was already delivered. The version of the Clippers that opened the season is gone. The trade deadline made sure of that.

Kawhi Leonard, on if he feels pride for the turnaround: “We’re not in here saying, ‘Oh, we were 6-21, look how great we’ve been doing.’ … If we get over .500, that would be great. I know the organization would love that. Just keep pushing to see if we can get a playoff seed.” pic.twitter.com/eeE1zZFGYP

— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) February 20, 2026

Los Angeles sent James Harden to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland, then moved Ivica Zubac to the Pacers in a deal headlined by Bennedict Mathurin and draft capital. It was a clear pivot. Less win-now. More reset-on-the-fly.

Garland hasn’t played yet. The roster is younger. The timeline changed.

And yet, here’s the irony. Since mid-December, the Clippers have been one of the league’s hottest teams. After starting 6-21, they’ve gone 21-7 and climbed back into the play-in picture.

So yes, they’re winning. But contending? Leonard doesn’t think so. Not this year.

Sometimes the most telling deadline analysis doesn’t come from a front office. It comes from the franchise star saying the quiet part out loud.

This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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