Kawhi Leonard Embraces Clippers Trading Harden and Zubac

Kawhi Leonard said he understands the Clippers’ decision to sell at the deadline after they moved James Harden and Ivica Zubac. He told reporters, "Just trying to get younger. We came in the year with the oldest team." Los Angeles sent Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and a pick, and traded Zubac to Indiana for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and multiple draft selections. Leonard acknowledged the team was tracking better recently and hopes they regroup after the All-Star break. Merlin sees a franchise shifting from a short push to a longer plan. Leonard’s calm acceptance helps steady the locker room, but the roster swap changes the team’s identity. The bounty of picks and young wings points toward building around the 2027 class. Growth from those assets will decide how quickly the Clippers can climb back.