The Los Angeles Clippers' 2025-26 season was a masterclass in resilience. After a disastrous 6-21 start that had many writing their obituary, the team engineered a stunning mid-season transformation. By injecting youth and grit into an aging roster, they clawed their way to a 15th consecutive winning season and a berth in the play-in tournament.
That remarkable comeback story, however, ended in heartbreak on Wednesday. The Clippers saw a 13-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate against a shorthanded Golden State Warriors team, with Stephen Curry delivering a vintage performance to close the chapter on their roller-coaster campaign.
Despite the bitter ending, the Clippers' front office is looking forward, not back. In his end-of-season press conference, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank made the franchise's direction crystal clear: the plan is to build around head coach Tyronn Lue and star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Frank's commitment to Lue is absolute. "Ty not being the coach was never, ever, ever a consideration," Frank stated emphatically. "Even at our lowest point... there never ever was any conversation of Ty not being the coach. Ty’s going to be the coach here for a long, long time." This unwavering support highlights the organization's desire for stability, even amidst the adversity of a brutal start to the season.
The future also prominently features Kawhi Leonard. While acknowledging the need for alignment, Frank expressed a clear desire to continue the partnership with the two-time Finals MVP. "If Kawhi’s goals are aligned with the Clippers'," Frank said, "we’d like to win with Kawhi." This signals an intent to keep the 34-year-old superstar as the cornerstone of their championship aspirations.
For a team that has consistently pursued title contention, this public vote of confidence in its core leadership is a decisive statement. The Clippers' wild 2025-26 ride is over, but the franchise is betting that the duo of Tyronn Lue and Kawhi Leonard is still the best path to the ultimate prize.