Kawhi Leonard Reacts to Breakup of James Harden, Paul George Trio

Bassyonni

Published: February 5, 2026 3:13 PM ET

Kawhi Leonard Reacts to Breakup of James Harden, Paul George Trio

The Los Angeles Clippers experienced a brief yet tumultuous period with their star trio of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George. The team traded for Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers in October 2023, hoping to make a deep playoff run. Instead, the Clippers faced disappointment and were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Mavericks.

Kawhi Leonard Reacts to the Breakup of the Harden-George Trio

Following the conclusion of the 2023–24 NBA season, the Clippers traded Paul George to the 76ers. This marked the end of the trio, leaving Kawhi Leonard as the only remaining superstar on the team. Recently, Harden was also traded, this time to the Cleveland Cavaliers, further splintering the Clippers’ aspirations.

Leonard’s Reflections on the Trio’s Demise

After a recent game against the Cavaliers, Leonard shared his thoughts on the breakup of the trio. While he expressed disappointment, he acknowledged the realities of the NBA. “Players come in and out all the time throughout organizations,” he remarked. He continued, “It’s the NBA. We know why these guys left. I wish them the best of luck. Tried to help [Harden] stay, but business calls.”

Looking Forward

Accepting the end of this chapter, Leonard emphasized the need to move on. “You always think you got a chance to win,” he noted, but recognized that circumstances—including luck and injuries—play a significant role in outcomes. He expressed a desire to build on what the current roster can achieve.

New Beginnings for the Clippers

The Clippers did not solely lose talent; they also gained a promising player in the trade for Harden—Darius Garland. This presents a new opportunity for Leonard and Garland to emerge as LA’s next star duo. Fans eagerly await to see how they will perform together as they navigate the upcoming season.