Clippers' Kawhi Leonard claims relationship with new No. 2 James Harden is great

Los Angeles Clippers superstar forward Kawhi Leonard begins his sixth season in Southern California. The first five years of his career were a whirlwind. With the signing of Leonard in the summer of 2019, the Clippers were immediately considered championship contenders, but did not make it to the NBA Finals.

Leonard's time in Los Angeles was viewed as a disappointment, even though he had another superstar at his side in Paul George. However, the best they were able to achieve in five seasons together was a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

The duo of Leonard and George was short-lived as George was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers this past offseason. Now Leonard will be without George, but he has another standout vice president at his side: 10-time All-Star James Harden.

This will be their first full season together and so far everything seems to be going well. Leonard told The Athletic's Law Murray that the relationship with Harden is strong.

“The relationship was great,” Leonard told The Athletic’s Law Murray. “He came in last year wanting to win and said he wanted to make sacrifices and do the things we needed to do to win games. So this year he has the same attitude. You just want another guy on your team. “I’m like-minded and willing to do whatever it takes to win. So far, we can be clear about how we play, whether good or bad Be good for the future.

The former 2018 NBA MVP was traded from the 76ers to the Clippers in October 2023 in exchange for Marcus Morris Sr., Nicolas Batum, Kenyon Martin Jr. and Robert Covington. The Southern California boy returned home to play for his hometown team and joined a strong Clippers team.

However, their season was marred by injuries, most notably Leonard's right knee injury late in the season. The Clippers didn't have enough against the eventual Western Conference champions, the Dallas Mavericks, to whom they lost in six games in the first round.

The Clippers lack the star power they've had in years past, so this season they'll have to rely on others to get the job done and superstars Leonard and Harden to carry the load.

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