In a league where superstars are expected to transform franchises, deliver playoff success, and justify massive contracts, Kawhi Leonard’s tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers continues to spark heated debate. That debate reached a new intensity this week when former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins publicly criticized Leonard, calling his signing with the Clippers “one of the worst free-agent signings in NBA history.”

Perkins’ comments stirred immediate reaction across the basketball world, reopening long-standing questions about Leonard’s availability, leadership, and the Clippers’ lack of postseason breakthroughs since handing him the keys in 2019.

As the Clippers struggle to reach championship expectations, the conversation around Leonard once hailed as an elite two-way machine capable of carrying any franchise is now shifting into much harsher territory.

What Kendrick Perkins Actually Said

During a recent televised segment, Kendrick Perkins did not mince words. His central argument was blunt:

“Since Kawhi went to the Clippers, nothing has changed. They haven’t accomplished anything… it’s one of the worst free-agent signings in NBA history.”

Perkins pointed to several issues:

• Leonard’s limited availability due to recurring injuries
  
• The organization’s lack of deep playoff success
  
• The massive contract commitments made to Leonard and his co-star Paul George
  
• The Clippers’ lack of clear identity or momentum over multiple seasons
  

Coming from Perkins, a former NBA champion known for his direct style and sharp critiques, the comment wasn’t entirely shocking but it resonated strongly across the basketball community.

Why Leonard’s Move to the Clippers Was Supposed to Change Everything

In 2019, Kawhi Leonard was arguably the best player in the world.
Fresh off a championship run with the Toronto Raptors, one of the most dominant postseason performances in recent memory, Leonard entered free agency as the NBA’s most coveted superstar.

When he chose the Los Angeles Clippers, the league reacted with shock and excitement:

• The Clippers instantly became championship favorites
  
• Leonard’s signing led to the blockbuster trade for Paul George
  
• Rivers, Ballmer, and the organization sold the vision of a new LA empire
  
• Analysts called the duo “the best two-way wing pairing ever assembled”
  

Expectations were sky-high. Anything short of a championship run felt like failure.

The Reality: Injuries, Inconsistency, and Untapped Potential

But instead of dominance, Clippers fans have watched a cycle of:

• Injuries
  
• Load management
  
• Partial seasons
  
• Missed playoff appearances
  
• Early playoff exits
  
• Constant lineup changes
  
• Lack of continuity
  

Kawhi’s availability has been the biggest storyline.

Across multiple seasons, Leonard has:

• Missed full campaigns
  
• Played dramatically limited minutes
  
• Sat out key back-to-back games
  
• Been unavailable for crucial playoff series
  
• Repeatedly undergone long injury rehab periods
  

Fair or not, availability is a skill in today’s NBA and Kawhi simply hasn’t been available consistently.

The Clippers Have Stagnated and Perkins Says It’s Because of Kawhi

Perkins’ argument centers on stagnation.
He believes Kawhi’s presence or absence, more accurately has prevented the franchise from:

• Building long-term chemistry
  
• Establishing a culture
  
• Playing consistently
  
• Implementing a stable rotation
  
• Developing continuity in the postseason
  

Perkins points to multiple failed seasons as evidence:

• The 2020 bubble collapse vs. Denver
  
• Kawhi’s ACL injury derailing 2021–2022
  
• Inconsistent performances throughout 2023–2025
  
• The team’s inability to get past the second round
  

Despite superstar talent and a record-breaking payroll, the Clippers have never fully clicked.

Is Perkins Being Too Harsh? The Case for Kawhi Leonard

While Perkins’ criticisms gained traction, many analysts and fans argue that calling Leonard’s signing “one of the worst in history” is extreme and ignores context.

1. Leonard has still played at a superstar level when healthy.

His postseason numbers remain elite.
When he’s on the floor, he’s still one of the best two-way players alive.

2. Injuries are not “his fault.”

Leonard’s playing style, explosive, physical, and defensive-heavy, naturally carries risk.

3. He transformed the Clippers from irrelevant to relevant.

For decades, the Clippers were overshadowed by the Lakers. Leonard’s arrival changed that overnight.

4. Championship windows require risk.

Big swings sometimes fail, but they’re still necessary.

5. The team’s problems aren’t only Kawhi’s responsibility.

Coaching changes, inconsistent supporting cast production, and roster construction issues also contributed.

Harsh as it sounds, Leonard’s tenure is more nuanced than Perkins suggests.

Why the Debate Matters Now

Perkins’ comments come at a pivotal moment.
The Clippers with their aging stars and heavy salary commitments are approaching a crossroads:

• Do they stick with Leonard and George?
  
• Do they rebuild?
  
• Do they restructure the roster?
  
• Is the title window still open?
  

With the West growing stronger (Denver, OKC, Dallas, Minnesota), the Clippers’ path to contention is tougher than ever.

This puts added scrutiny on the franchise’s core players especially Leonard.

The Legacy Question: Has Kawhi Fallen Short in LA?

Legacy is a sensitive topic for superstars.
Kawhi Leonard a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, and Hall-of-Famer was supposed to add another championship chapter with the Clippers.

Instead, his LA story has been defined by:

• “What could have been?”
  
• “If only he were healthy…”
  
• “The most talented team that never clicked.”
  

This fuels the media narrative and gives voices like Perkins more ammunition.

Where Do the Clippers Go From Here?

The franchise faces critical questions:

1. Can Kawhi stay healthy?

Everything else depends on this.

2. Should the Clippers blow it up if this season disappoints?

Many believe this is the last “true” window with this core.

3. Will the team try to retool around younger pieces?

Tyrese Maxey–style breakout players aren’t currently on the roster.

4. Is the front office willing to ride out Kawhi’s era until the end?

Owner Steve Ballmer has been patient but even patience has limits.

Conclusion: Harsh But Not Entirely Wrong

Kendrick Perkins’ take is controversial and maybe exaggerated,  but it reflects a growing sentiment:

The Kawhi Leonard era in Los Angeles has not gone as planned.
The Clippers aimed for a championship, but four years later, the results fall short of expectations.

Still, calling it “one of the worst free-agent signings in NBA history” may ignore the context, the risk-reward nature of superstar acquisitions, and the reality that Leonard remains an elite talent when available.

The truth lies somewhere in between:

• Kawhi hasn’t failed as a player
  
• But the Clippers haven’t succeeded as a team
  

And as the clock ticks on their title window, the narrative surrounding Leonard’s Clippers era will only intensify.