“It’s easy for me. 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,” Kawhi Leonard said during media day, and it’s showing. After the Clippers’ recent trip to Portland, it’s clear that the star forward hasn’t let the offseason buzz affect him, despite the $28 million marketing deal with Aspiration that’s sparked debate, allegedly structured to boost his earnings while potentially circumventing the team’s salary cap.

Teammate James Harden highlighted what makes Kawhi Leonard so special: “Kawhi is a very, very generational talent. He can get off and reach his spots whenever he wants to, and he obviously makes the shot more often than not. We’re so good as a team, it’s just the flow of the game… The ultimate goal is to win the game, however that looks.”

The reason for all the praise? Kawhi Leonard poured in 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Sunday, powering the Clippers past the Trail Blazers 114-107 at the Intuit Dome. He was everywhere, adding four assists, two steals, and hitting four of six three-pointers, showing why he’s a true game-changer.

But Leonard didn’t carry the load alone. James Harden was orchestrating the offense like a maestro, finishing with 20 points and 13 assists, while Ivica Zubac dominated inside with 21 points and eight boards. The trio went nuts in the third quarter, each scoring nine points as the Clippers turned a halftime deficit into control of the game.

Off the bench, John Collins chipped in 16 points, helping the Clippers keep Portland at bay even as the Blazers tried to cut the lead in the fourth. Portland hit 28 of 34 free throws to stay close, but Los Angeles’ team effort, led by Leonard’s all-around brilliance, sealed the win and improved their record to 2-1.

But Kawhi Leonard didn’t forget to credit the coach who set him up to excel at all three sides with 21 shot attempts, saying, “But I thank Tyronn Lue for putting me in those spots to make plays for the team. I just have to keep getting better.”

Heading into his sixth season with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard comes off a 2024-25 campaign where he played just 37 games but still made a major impact. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.6 steals per outing, showing he can contribute across the board. Despite the limited action, Leonard remained sharp and efficient, knocking down nearly half of his shots at 49.8% and connecting on 41.1% from three-point range, proving he’s still one of the league’s most reliable scorers.

The reason behind Leonard’s early-season surge? Health, plain and simple. “He looks season form,” James Harden said to reporters, pointing to how Leonard is finally feeling right. Health has long been a challenge for the Clippers star, who has managed to play over 60 games in a season just once since joining the team.

Leonard himself credited last year’s playoff break for helping him recharge both physically and mentally. “I felt great. I was able to have a good offseason, travel a little bit, and just work on my body. And, you know, I haven’t had [a preseason game] in a minute, but they got me there,” he said. 

Off-court drama clouds Kawhi’s reputation

The NBA is buzzing about Kawhi Leonard’s recent 30-point explosion, but has he ever truly been appreciated? James Harden thinks not. “Not even a little bit. It’s always negative,” Harden said earlier. “It’s always what he’s been through and what he’s not able to do. Just because of something he can’t control. But we don’t appreciate how great he is when he’s actually out there and putting up performances…”

Harden’s point hits home, especially given the off-season chatter surrounding Leonard. The $28 million marketing deal sparked whispers that he could face fines up to $350,000, team personnel might be suspended, and in extreme cases, his 2024 three-year, $153 million contract could be voided, potentially making him a free agent before 2026. Even if Leonard isn’t directly responsible, the speculation cast a long shadow over his off-court reputation.

On the court, however, Leonard has been showing why he’s worth every bit of the spotlight. In the final 10 games of last season, he averaged 26.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, leading the Clippers to a 9-1 record. His shooting splits looked crisp, reminiscent of the form that helped him guide the Raptors to an NBA Finals title. Despite all the off-season noise, Leonard proved that when healthy, he can carry the team and influence outcomes at the highest level.

Looking ahead, the Clippers’ ceiling is directly tied to Leonard’s health and form. If he maintains the momentum from the end of last season, when he scored 26.7 points per game over his final six contests, the Clippers could be a nightmare matchup in the Western Conference. With added depth and two strong defensive bigs ready to challenge stars like Nikola Jokić, a fully healthy Leonard could push the Clippers deep into the playoffs, making them tough to beat in any series.