In the 2025 offseason, when reports surfaced that Kawhi Leonard had allegedly struck a $28 million agreement for a “no-show” arrangement with the Los Angeles Clippers during his last free agency, his reputation took a significant hit. Moreover, when further reports came out that Kawhi’s camp even dared to ask the L.A. Lakers for ownership if they were to sign him in 2019, for weeks, the NBA world scrutinized his integrity and questioned if the two-time Finals MVP had ever loved the game.
However, after Leonard’s first appearance on the court in a preseason contest for the Clippers, Kendrick Perkins laughed off at all the noise, emphasizing how that mockery and judgment have finally triggered him enough to reassert himself as one of the best players in the game — a fact that can only do wonders for Steve Ballmer’s team.
Kendrick thinks Kawhi’s controversy was a blessing in disguise for the Clippers
When NBA investigator Paolo Torre first brought these violations to light, Leonard didn’t come out ot defend his place and instead stayed silent even when different media houses discussed him daily. Put simply, neither Kawhi nor anyone from his camp came to clear his name of the allegations through mere words.
Instead, he waited patiently for his game to do the talking. So, when the Clippers played against the Guangzhou Loong Lions of the Chinese Basketball League, Leonard showed up ready to lead. In that contest, the Clippers dropped a staggering 142 points and registered a win by almost 50 points. More importantly, it was the star forward who led from the front, scoring 18 points in 18 minutes, including five three-pointers.
For “Big Perk,” that wasn’t just an elite performance but a direct statement. He believes that, despite the offseason chaos surrounding Kawhi’s name, the disrespect may have inadvertently positioned him to take it personal and respond on the court. For years, the Klaw was mocked for his unavailability and readiness to sit out games. However, given how Leonard showed up in the preseason itself, he seems determined to make the Clippers a powerhouse and restore his legacy as a leader.
“Kawhi Leonard playing in the preseason game? When’s the last time we saw Kawhi play in a preseason game? But here’s the thing, right? It’s so much noise going on about Kawhi Leonard outside the lines; the only way to quiet that noise is by going out there and performing on the floor at a high level. I believe that we’re going to see the best version of Kawhi Leonard,” Perkins said. “It was a blessing in disguise what’s going on outside the lines because now, Kawhi can find his sanctuary inside the lines, which is going to benefit the Clippers.”
A motivated Kawhi is highly dangerous
The Clippers, meanwhile, look more promising than they have in years. With the addition of seasoned veterans and proven contributors such as Brook Lopez, Bradley Beal and Chris Paul, the roster is deeper and more balanced than ever.
If Kawhi can stay healthy and play consistently, there is simply no reason why this team cannot challenge for the No. 1 seed in the West, despite the fierce competition level. If Leonard leads as both a scorer and a defensive anchor, the Clippers could easily find themselves back in championship contention.
So as Perkins rightly noted, there is no better wya to silence critics than by winning. If Kawhi can guide this team to sustained success while performing at an All-NBA level, that indeed reaffirms why the Clippers placed their faith in him, almost blindly, in 2019.