Kawhi Leonard said three words following the LA Clippers' win versus the Denver Nuggets that NBA superstars never say out loud: "It's over now." This suggests a stunning admission that the championship window has likely closed for 2026 given the team's motive with a new core derived from the trade deadline.
Kawhi Leonard on what the Clippers need to become contenders:
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) February 20, 2026
“Just development over time. I think it’s over now. It’s a fourth of the season left. But every day is a day to grow. A day to learn and get better. So just gotta keep looking over time and see in two weeks if we’re… pic.twitter.com/lQjaCOha5a
This isn't hyperbole or negativity—it's Leonard being honest about reality. The Clippers are 27-31, sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference. They lost two key pieces via trade, Darius Garland hasn't made his debut yet due to toe injuries, and the roster is being rebuilt on the fly with young players still learning NBA basketball.
The full context of Leonard's words changes everything
Kawhi Leonard's response had much more meaning to it, and from a bird's eye view, he was focused on the LA Clippers growing and progressing over time.
"Just development over time. I think it’s over now. It’s a fourth of the season left. But every day is a day to grow. A day to learn and get better. So just gotta keep looking over time and see in two weeks if we’re getting better and see what happens from there."Kawhi Leonard
Leonard is not giving up or quitting on the season; he's acknowledging mathematical reality. The Clippers have 24 games remaining. They're four games under .500 and would need to go on an absurd winning streak to climb above the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, or Los Angeles Lakers in the standings.
Unless Leonard misspoke, that sure sounds like him saying the Clippers' title chances are likely dead this season. Which, again, isn't the wildest take, unless it's coming from the team's franchise star.
That last part is key. Superstars don't publicly admit when seasons are lost. They maintain the facade of championship aspirations even when everyone knows it's impossible. Leonard just told the cold brutal truth instead.
The Clippers' young core development focus
The question Kawhi Leonard was answering centered on breaking into that contender tier with the LA Clippers' younger roster.
That's not championship talk, its rebuilding language. And he made the correct assessment. The Clippers traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac to get younger with Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin. Jordan Miller, Kobe Sanders, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all 26 and under. This isn't a finished product ready to compete for titles; it's a work in progress.
Leonard spoke about a realistic timeline for evaluation. Can Garland integrate smoothly? Does Mathurin's offensive firepower outweigh his other limitations? Do the young players continue improving or hit development walls?
Those are questions that take weeks and months to answer, not days. Leonard understands the Clippers aren't contending in 2026, they're building something for 2027 and beyond.
The Best Record Since December Doesn't Matter
To the LA Clippers' credit, they've been remarkable since starting 6-21. The team has the fifth best win percentage in the NBA since December 20, going 21-10. Additionally, Kawhi Leonard has played career basketball during that stretch, averaging 29.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.0 steals.
But context matters. That 21-10 run came against a relatively weak schedule and with James Harden orchestrating the offense. Now Harden is gone, replaced by an injured Darius Garland, and a collection of young players. The schedule gets significantly harder down the stretch. And even with that incredible turnaround, the Clippers are still barely in play-in position.
There is still a long way to go before they are taken seriously.
Why honesty might be refreshing
Kawhi Leonard's candor could actually be healthy for the LA Clippers. Instead of selling false hope and putting pressure on young players to deliver miracle playoff runs, he's setting realistic expectations.
It's also great that Leonard appears ready to help those around him learn the system. He knows it comes with mistakes, yet he is prepared for it, as in his mind, the goal is to improve each week en route to a strong start in the 2026-27 regular season.
But right now? Leonard's assessment is brutally accurate. No matter how you look at it, he did something rare in professional sports. All in all, it's a reminder to not set your expectations too high, given the Clippers are a rebuilding team disguised as playoff hopefuls.