What’s next for Kawhi Leonard and scandal-plagued Clippers?

The Kawhi Leonard era in Los Angeles seems almost over. Injuries and playoff heartbreak have dimmed the promise for the Clippers, but the Aspiration scandal feels like the final nail. Leonard is under contract through 2027, but it’s hard to see him back after that. 

As ESPN's Baxter Holmes reported in a story published Sept. 17, "Multiple GMs and other league executives said they expect Leonard to play out his contract with the Clippers, which is set to end after the 2026-27 season."

But as a Clippers staffer told Holmes: "They're done building around [Kawhi]. They know that and he knows that."

So, the Clippers must prepare for life beyond Leonard.

The franchise doesn’t have the option of tearing everything down. Because of the Paul George trade, the Clippers don’t control their first-round picks until 2030. That rules out tanking completely. Losing on purpose would just hand lottery picks to Oklahoma City. The team's path forward must come from staying competitive, protecting their books and then striking hard when the opportunity arrives.

The bridge years for Los Angeles Clippers

The roster now is a patchwork of stars and vets. James Harden signed a two-year, $81.5M extension to stay alongside Leonard through 2027. Bradley Beal arrived on a short contract, Brook Lopez signed for two years and 40-year-old Chris Paul returned for one more run. These aren’t building blocks, but they'll keep the Clippers competitive enough while they await a reset. Center Ivica Zubac is the only major contributor locked in beyond 2027.

That reset will come in the summer of 2027. Once Leonard and Harden come off the books, the Clippers could have $60M–$70M in cap space. For a franchise that has lived above the tax and under the weight of the second apron, that’s freedom. The goal between now and then is simple: no long-term mistakes. Keep the payroll flexible, avoid bloated deals and don’t block the clean sheet they’ve worked toward.

Could Clippers entice Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic?

The reason 2027 matters is the free-agent class. If contracts play out the way they’re structured now, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns could be available. Free agency is always unpredictable — extensions can change the landscape quickly — but for once the Clippers will actually have the room to chase stars.

The lesson of the Leonard era is that loading up on max salaries with no depth doesn’t work. When the Clippers rebuild in 2027, they’ll need one centerpiece free agent but also a balanced roster: shooters, defenders and younger role players on affordable contracts. They can’t repeat the mistake of tying everything to two fragile stars while filling the bench with minimums.

If they get that mix right, they can stay competitive through the late 2020s, then use the 2030s to reset again with their own draft picks finally back in play. It’s not the smooth, organic rebuild other franchises dream about, but it’s the only option left.

The Kawhi Leonard era is ending in disappointment and controversy. But for the Clippers, the end might also be the beginning of a smarter, more sustainable approach. All they need to do is survive two more years, then make 2027 the summer where everything changes.