The Clippers Paid a Huge Price for Leonard, Winning Only Three Playoff Series in Seven Years

When Nick Harrison traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February 2025, the deal was viewed by most people as the worst trade in NBA history. The only reason this trade might still retain that status is that the Clippers did not acquire Kawhi Leonard through a trade in the summer of 2019. But looking back purely from a transaction perspective, Leonard's acquisition may have already surpassed the Doncic deal and become one of the worst moves in history.

Leonard's era in Los Angeles is expected to be coming to an end, with a plan to trade the star to Toronto having been put on hold for two months. But for now, let's look back at this unsuccessful seven-year period.

First, the Clippers paid Leonard nearly $350 million over the past seven years. During that span, the Clippers won only three playoff series in total, and Leonard never appeared in a playoff game beyond the second round. He missed the entire 2021-22 season due to an ACL tear. He played in only 37 games during the 2024-25 season. In the playoffs after his first return from the ACL tear, he played only two games before a meniscus tear ended his season, marking the first of three consecutive first-round exits.

Based solely on these facts, Leonard's signing was a complete failure for the Clippers. But that is only the beginning of the cost. There was also the enormous and widely known price of acquiring Paul George, who joined as part of the package deal and was reportedly brought in at Leonard's request, meaning his cost must be considered part of the Leonard acquisition. The George trade was supposed to bring a championship, and it did bring one — just not for the Clippers. The Clippers sent five first-round picks (one of which became All-NBA player Jalen Williams), two pick swaps, and future back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the 2025 champion Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Leonard and George duo.