240 million in 6 years! The Clippers decide to cut! The Leonard era is over

On September 18, ESPN reporter Baxter Holmes wrote a long article to disclose the current relationship between the Clippers and Leonard, as well as some details of Leonard's withdrawal from the US men's basketball team: whether it is the Clippers' press release, team statement, or social media, as long as Leonard is involved, it must be strictly reviewed by the Clippers' senior management or Leonard's team.

Clippers insiders told Baxter Holmes that Leonard's health is regarded as "the top secret" within the Clippers and that the Clippers' medical team has no right to intervene. The Clippers are divided into "Leonard's Insider's Insider" and "Unknown People". The gap between the two groups is getting deeper, and some staff members hope to end their cooperative relationship with Leonard as soon as possible.

Since joining the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has played only about 56% of the games and won three rounds of the series. But he took away $240 million in salary in these six years, and the contract has only $100 million left for two years. The Clippers staff said: "This is a nightmare. The only thing that is thankful is that his Clippers career is about to end soon." The staff member said: "The Clippers' center of gravity has shifted. No more lineups will be built around Leonard. The Clippers management understands this, and Leonard himself knows it." Uncle Leonard and his team made the Clippers staff tremble. Sometimes when a word is used wrong, Uncle Leonard would call the Clippers to complain.

No one in the Clippers likes Leonard? Is this ESPN reporter a dark boy? Not. Baxter Holmes disclosed in the report that unlike Clippers staff, Clippers players like and admire Leonard, and this is still the case. Teammates believe that when Leonard was able to play, he played hard and was very focused during training.

Next, let's take a look at Leonard's withdrawal from the US Men's Basketball Team. In April 2024, the US Men's Basketball Team announced the 12-man roster of the Olympics, and Leonard was on the list. In May 2024, Leonard underwent knee surgery (this news was not disclosed until September 2024). In July 2024, the US men's basketball team held a training camp, and Leonard participated in two training sessions and announced his withdrawal.

Leonard performed "slow movements and very difficult" during training, but he did not inform the US men's basketball team about the surgery. Clippers coach Terron Lu was an American assistant coach at the time, and even he didn't know Xiao Ka's physical condition. Since 2019, the Clippers have been investigated by the NBA three times because of Leonard-related matters, including the latest Yin-Yang contract.

In addition, Baxter Holmes disclosed some conditions when Leonard joined the Clippers in 2019. Except for Clippers (which does not comply with NBA regulations), the other conditions are met: 1. Provide a private helicopter to allow Xiaoka to commute; 2. Promising to get George's transaction; 3. A luxury house; 4. Over-the-counter endorsement contract.

5. The Clippers agree that Leonard misses some media and community activities; 6. The Clippers agree that Leonard's uncle arranges his confidants to work in the team. The Clippers are really good to Leonard, but he has too few rewards to the Clippers. This Yin-Yang contract incident has brought Ballmer's quality to doubt. Clippers employees said that the boss must cut with Xiao Ka.

According to Xiao Hua's recent statement, the NBA league will not punish the Clippers and Ballmer severely. The above is the main content of ESPN's report. Do you think the Clippers will give up on the small card?