Draymond Green on Kawhi Leonard: I don’t even talk junk to Kawhi Leonard because I have so much respect for him. Like, you talking a special, special player Kawhi is one of the better, top 5 offensive player in our league, he’s also a top 5 defensive player in our league. This man had more steals than fouls on the season. Almost by double. Like, that’s unheard of for someone that defends. But he’s a student of the game, right? So he play clean defense. Kawhi is special man. I heard his comments after the game, later last night I heard his comments. I was flattered because ultimately, as players and I know everybody think like, “Oh man they spoiled they make this amount of money, they stay in this hotel, they do this.” Man it’s hard, it’s hard when every day you on front street, you have a bad game and people say you’re trash and you suck, they dissect your personal life it’s hard. And ultimately what matters to you the most is the respect from your peers and not just any peer, the respect from peers that you respect. — 4/17/2026 x.com
Udoka had a different comparison for Smith Jr.’s development arc. “Reminds me of Kawhi Leonard back in the day,” Udoka said. He was an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs for much of Leonard’s tenure. The forward started as a role player before emerging into one of the league’s best two-way talents. “When you talk to Kawhi now,” Udoka said, “he’s pissed about standing in the corner for three years. He felt like he wasted some years, but I think the growth and progression that we had in San Antonio — to become a spot-up shooter to a pick-and-roll guy to a post-and-isolation guy — was good for him, instead of just throwing him in there when he wasn’t ready for it. A little bit of that with Jabari.” — 4/16/2026 Houston Chronicle
Farbod Esnaashari: Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard’s fourth quarter struggles: “I thought Draymond did a good job being physical, denying the basketball, not letting him get to his spots… We didn’t execute well with his blitzes.” — 4/16/2026 x.com
Farbod Esnaashari: Ty Lue on Kawhi Leonard’s upcoming contract: “I haven’t had a chance to think about that after that tough loss. I love the group that we have… Everything is just so fast this season, couldn’t really stop and take time to implement what you want to implement.” — 4/16/2026 x.com
Leonard has one year left on his deal. According to another league source, the Clippers believe the NBA’s investigation won’t result in significant punishment, and there is no expectation that Leonard’s contract will be voided. But with Leonard’s value re-established, the franchise must decide whether to extend him or explore a trade. — 4/16/2026 New York Times
Oh No He Didn’t: Kawhi on Draymond: “Hall of Fame defender. It was hard to even get shots up” — 4/16/2026 Bluesky
Justin Russo: Kawhi Leonard, on the Aspiration investigation: “I never thought about it too much other than questions asked. You’ll have to ask the NBA, not me. I’m not the one doing the investigation. … I think we’re gonna be in the clear. I’m not stressing it.” — 4/16/2026 Bluesky
Dean Oliver: Kawhi Leonard was worth -8.3 net points in the second half, a half they lost by 13, with 5 tovs and just 20% usage. He was worth -6.9 in a game they lost by 5, a threshold loss. Draymond held him to ZERO pts in his HC matchup in the 2nd half (GeniusIQ). — 4/16/2026 Bluesky
Joey Linn: Kawhi Leonard on facing Steph Curry in the Play-In Tournament: “He’s one of the greatest players to play this game… Even if it’s just a pickup game, just being able to share the floor with a player like that— being coached by Steve Kerr, also playing with Draymond, that unit over there of championship pedigree. It’s a great opportunity. You can’t take it for granted.” — 4/14/2026 x.com
NBA Courtside: The Golden State Warriors are expected to have interest in all 3 of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, per @JakeLFischer — 4/14/2026 x.com
