Los Angeles Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank acknowledged that the franchise’s pre-deadline overhaul was not easy, but he believes it was required to elevate the team’s trajectory, as reported by Janis Carr of the Orange County Register.
Among the headline moves, James Harden was sent to Cleveland in exchange for younger guard Darius Garland.
The Clippers also traded starting center Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to Indiana, acquiring Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks and a second-round selection.
In addition, Chris Paul, who had effectively been sidelined after being informed he was no longer part of the team’s plans, was dealt to Toronto.
“As hard as these moves are, we are extremely excited about where we’re going,” Frank said.
“We want to win now. We believe we are going to win now, and we’re going to do it while getting younger. That doesn’t dismiss the impact specifically that James and Zu had, but in Darius, we’re getting a two-time All-Star.”
Although the Clippers rebounded from a rough start and climbed into a play-in position, Frank felt the roster’s overall upside remained limited in its previous form.
“We were the oldest team in the NBA. We were in ninth place despite turning around, which we do not take lightly,” he said.
“But we had to make some really, really hard and difficult decisions. As a player and coach, you don’t expect those guys to like it and with every major trade we’ve made here over the last 10 years, I’ve always had to face very disappointed players.”
Clippers Notes: Deadline Moves, League Investigation, Leonard, Zubac https://t.co/BeJhD00uBf pic.twitter.com/fJI6aSyt4O
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) February 11, 2026
