INGLEWOOD, Calif. – – — Media Day is now behind us and we all know the Los Angeles Clippers made some splash moves during the offseason that could possibly set them up to take a step forward this season.
Los Angeles was able to sign center Brook Lopez to give them more size to help Ivica Zubac who is coming off a career year and Lopez provides much needed shooting to a team who had issues in that area last season.
After being bought out by the Phoenix Suns, guard Bradley Beal joined Los Angeles to take the place of guard Norman Powell who was traded to the Miami Heat this offseason.
“I thought Lawrence [Frank], Mark [Hughes] and Trent [Redden] did a good job addressing some needs that we needed,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Adding Chris Paul at point guard who can some play-making and make guys better. Lopez is a great three point shooter and id a great rim protector. John Collins with his athleticism with the way he runs the floor and finish at the rim. Who is also another big body that can rebound. Also, picking up Bradley who is a very good scorer that can score on all three levels.”
With the new additions and James Harden returning things seemed to be moving in the right direction for a team that won 50+ games even though the roster dealt with injuries throughout last season.
The team’s near future looked as positive as the energy you get from owner Steve Balmer on a nightly basis inside of the Intuit Dome.
Then the news hit involving the team’s biggest star: Kawhi Leonard.
That’s where a lot of the talking points were aimed during the 2025-26 Media Day for the Clippers.
Lawrence Frank, who serves as president of basketball operations for the Clippers was the first person to speak to the media. When asked about the impending NBA investigation into salary cap circumvention allegations concerning Kawhi Leonard, Frank gave an open statement stating, “We are glad there is an investigation. We welcome it. We appreciate that there’ll be a clear eye to look at these allegations, and we’re eager for the truth to come out. The assumptions and conclusions that have been made are disappointing and upsetting. And we expect the investigation will show these allegations are wrong,”
On Monday, Frank’s statement was very careful by emphasizing his own experience and he spoke on the character of team owner Steve Ballmer.
“I’m hurt for Steve,” he continued. “He’s one of the best people and most honorable people I’ve ever met. He does things the right way for the right reasons. And he constantly reminds us to stay on the right side of the rules”
The next few interviews included coach Tyronn Lue and veteran players Harden, Beal, Lopez and Zubac who focused more on what they expect to see on the floor from the team. They also spoke of support for their star teammate Leonard and owner Ballmer.
Later than expected came the player the media wanted to speak to the most: Leonard.
During his press conference, Leonard was asked about the allegations, but the veteran forward denied any wrongdoing on his part or the organization.
“I don’t read headlines or do conspiracy theories or anything like that, so. It’s about the season and what we’ve got ahead of us right now,” Leonard said, via The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver. “The NBA is going to do their job. None of us did no wrongdoing. That’s it.”
The impending investigation of Leonard and the team will continue to cast a shadow on this season but winning cures all and if the team can perform as well as they expect. The talk will become more about on the court than the craziness going on off of it.
