Clippers had to make ‘very tough decisions’ for Lawrence Frank

As it is Clippers managed to recover from a disastrous start to the season, the departures of James Harden and Ivica Zubac were very surprising. Why part with your starting point guard and make a mid-season change? The president of the franchise, Lawrence Frank, spoke in detail about these choices.

“We were the oldest team in the NBA. We were ninth when we were better and we don’t take that lightly.”, points to the manager. “We had to make very difficult decisions. We don’t expect the players and the coach to like it, and with every big transfer in the last ten years, I’ve always faced disappointed players.”

The decision is therefore a sporting one. For this season and beyond. “As difficult as these moves are, they create excitement. We want to win now and we think we have the players to do it. And we’re getting a little younger. This doesn’t diminish the impact of Harden and Zubac, but with Darius Garland, we’re getting a double All-Star.”recalls Lawrence Frank.

Darius Garland is actually just 26 years old, ten years younger than the 2018 MVP, when Benedict Maturin and Isaiah Jackson, who arrived against the 28-year-old pivot, are even younger, at 23 and 24, respectively.

“The priority for Kawhi Leonard is the same as for the Clippers: winning titles”

The Cavaliers were looking for a big player to aim for a title, and the Clippers were young: the two franchises were therefore made to match. “It made sense for Cleveland, who is in a different situation with their team. Not only do we want to win now, but we want to be better later, and we have a 26-year-old player who is already a two-time All-Star. So it made sense for both teams.”assures the leader of Los Angeles who he recently extended his contract.

Certainly, but for Ivica Zubac, why not keep it? Because if the franchise arrived with a valuable offer godfather (“an offer you can’t refuse”) Lawrence Frank has warned his staff that a transfer is more than possible, especially to regain draft picks. With two first rounds and a second round in the balance, plus Benedict Maturin and Isaiah Jackson, the Pacers were able to crush the Californians.

The idea is to best surround Kawhi Leonard, free in 2027 and having a big season. The “key” remains the key for the Clippers: when Kawhi goes, everything goes. And as of late December 2025, the two-time Finals MVP is particularly impressive.

“The priority for Kawhi is the same as it is for the Clippers: winning titles. So how do we do that together? We can continue and look forward to building with him, knowing that we will need more. We will review all the steps necessary to achieve that, through free agency, transfers or the draft.”concludes Lawrence Frank.