The Los Angeles Clippers have ignited a social media firestorm by refusing to post any public thank you to Kawhi Leonard following his trade, a move fans are calling 'kinda insane.' This silence caps a messy end to Leonard's six-season tenure, which concluded under the shadow of severe NBA penalties for rule violations. The team's focus now shifts to a new era, coming off a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets on May 3, 2025.
Social media erupted after the trade was finalized. Fans quickly noticed the Clippers' official accounts had thanked numerous other departing players but posted nothing for Leonard. One supporter wrote, "As mad as I am with the Kawhi situation, not giving up at least a Thank You tweet is kinda insane." Another user listed over a dozen players who received acknowledgments, from Chris Paul to Mason Plumlee.
This perceived snub felt personal given Leonard's lengthy service. He played over 360 games across six seasons for the franchise. "Mind you, the trade was already completed hours ago, and Kawhi played there for 6 seasons... Just saying..." one comment read. Not everyone sided with Leonard, however. Some argued the organization owed him nothing. "Clippers better not think about giving him any semblance of a thank you. He doesn't deserve anything from this organization," a fan stated.
Leonard's departure follows one of the biggest controversies in recent NBA history. The league conducted a nearly year-long investigation. It found the Clippers provided off-the-books financial perks and under-the-table benefits to sign and keep the seven-time All-Star. The punishment was severe. The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million and stripped five first-round picks from 2029 through 2033.
Owner Steve Ballmer received a one-year suspension. Executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank were also suspended without pay. Leonard himself was fined $700,000 but avoided suspension, and his contract remained valid. The trade itself brought assets to Los Angeles. The Clippers acquired Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 pick swap, and second-rounders.
The team must now rebuild without its former cornerstone. The acquired picks offer future flexibility, but there's a catch. The NBA's Stepien Rule means the Clippers cannot freely trade the 2031 and 2033 first-rounders without risking consecutive drafts without a first-round pick. Darius Garland is expected to emerge as a key face of the franchise's next chapter.
On the court, the Clippers look to improve from a recent run of mixed results. Their last five games show a 2W-0D-3L record (LWLLW). This stretch included a 111-105 win over Denver on May 2, 2025, but also heavy losses like a 131-115 defeat on April 30. Fans can track the team's progress on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page. The final game of that sequence was a 120-101 loss to the Nuggets.
