The Clippers, Kawhi Leonard and the most damaging swing-and-a-miss in NBA history
This article reflects on the Los Angeles Clippers' 2019 acquisition of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, framing it as a significant but ultimately disappointing era for the franchise. The author critiques the team's aggressive strategy and the lack of championship success that followed.
Why it matters
It highlights the risks of 'all-in' roster building in professional sports and the long-term consequences of high-stakes front-office decisions.
"This is a historic moment for our organization and our fans," Lawrence Frank said in a statement on July 10, 2019. And oh, man , does "historic" not even begin to cover it.
Frank, the president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Clippers, delivered that cherry quote up near the top of the press release officially announcing the signing of marquee free-agent Kawhi Leonard — a two-time NBA champion and NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star and All-NBA selection, a five-time All-Defensive teamer and former Defensive Player of the Year — to begin a bright, bold new era for the long moribund franchise.
(The second sentence of that statement, one that appears in virtually every team announcement of a contract signing, takes on a particularly rich tone today: "Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not released." I can't imagine why! )
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