When reviewing the history of the Los Angeles Clippers, it is hard to overlook how dysfunction and mismanagement have long plagued the franchise. Even after landing Kawhi Leonard, their track record in the playoffs hasn’t changed drastically, as they have now been eliminated thrice consecutively in the first round.
This prompted Chandler Parsons to boldly highlight how the Kawhi-era for the Clippers hasn’t been successful at all. For all the hype, the team has never delivered when it has mattered the most.
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“You can’t be there four years and have four first-round exits; that’s not a success. That’s not a successful season, not a successful run. You’re there to win, there to win big,” Parsons said on the “Run It Back” show. “If you don’t get past the first round, it has to be considered a failure.”
Parsons thinks the Kawhi era hasn’t come to an end in L.A.
The 2024-25 campaign proved to be a statement year for “The Klaw.” The forward showcased how he wasn’t done and can still be the No. 1 player on a championship-contending team. Even though Leonard took time to return from injury, the manner in which he elevated his regular season production of 21.5 points over 37 games to 25 points per game in the playoffs while playing 37.9 minutes and shooting 53.7 percent from the field, showed how the San Diego product can be healthy and give his team a chance to be dominant.
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Parsons also acknowledged that given how the likes of Ivica Zubac and Norman Powell had their career-best years and the team has the likes of gritty young players like Derrick Jones Jr. and experienced stars like Bogdan Bogdanovic on their roster, they can seemingly be in championship contention if Kawhi leads them in the same way he did towards the busines end of this campaign.
“Kawhi Leonard proved to everyone that he can stay healthy, can dominate at his age. He can still be ‘that guy’ on a really good team. Then again, they were one game away from moving on and Kawhi was a huge part of that,” Parsons added. “I don’t think the story is done. I do think this team is poised to win right now….This team, if they run it back, they are going to be a great team.”
Clippers need a younger superstar alongside Kawhi
While the two-time Finals MVP has proven he can shoulder the load in high-stakes moments, he has clear limitations – namely, Kawhi isn’t a natural playmaker. That is why the Clippers must reassess the roster and strongly consider moving past James Harden, who once again disappeared when the lights were the brightest. Instead, they should look to bring in players who can complement Leonard and relieve some of the offensive and defensive burden.
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Names like Marcus Smart, who can elevate their perimeter defense, D’Angelo Russell, who can become their primary ball handler, an effective three-point shooter, or a gritty, high-intensity player like Bruce Brown could all offer significant value. On the other hand, if the Clippers want to be bold, they can also chase a superstar like LaMelo Ball, who will perfectly suit their big-market image.
Leonard has showcased how he still wants to compete for a title. The question remains whether the Clippers’ front office wants to go all-in and commit to a win-now mentality with the two-time DPOY.