Clippers President Talks Kawhi Leonard, James Harden Future After NBA Playoff Exit

The Los Angeles Clippers still believe in a team led by the tandem of James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

Following the Clippers first-round series loss to the Denver Nuggets, Clippers president Lawrence Frank expressed that "I definitely believe in those two," about Harden and Leonard as the team's leaders on a potential championship team.

Frank got specific about Leonard and stated that more games from him should make a big difference.

"There's another level for him out there that he's going to get to next year," Frank told reporters. "I think looking at next year that we can be better with more games from Kawhi."

He also expressed confidence in re-signing Harden if he hits free agency and that the team values his contributions.

"We have a great level of appreciation for what James did this year," Frank told reporters. "I'm going in with the intent that if he doesn't pick up his option that we're going to be able to reach an agreement that works well for James and works well for the Clippers."

The Clippers went 50-32 in the regular season and earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. They fell to the Nuggets in seven games, making it the third consecutive season that the Clippers have failed to advance out of the opening round.

Leonard played in 37 regular season games and averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists. In the playoffs, Leonard averaged 25 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

Harden played in 79 regular season games and averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds. He then went on to average 18.7 points, 9.1 assists and 5.4 rebounds in the postseason.

Leonard is under contract through 2026-27 while Harden could hit the open market this Summer if he does not opt-in to his $36.3 million option.

Regardless of the result, it looks like Frank and the Clippers are committed to Leonard and Harden as the core of the team for the next several seasons.