CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

The Kawhi Leonard Investigation Is Now Holding Up The Kawhi Leonard Trade

Patrick Redford

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: James Harden #1 of the LA Clippers looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by)

James Harden’s Latest Trade Demand Isn’t About Basketball

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the first half of their game against the Brooklyn Nets at Intuit Dome on January 25, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Clippers Win, Sentencing Blogger To Eat Words

Giri Nathan

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 04: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder defends James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on November 04, 2025 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

It Is A Moral Imperative For The Rest Of The NBA To Improve The Clippers

James Harden #1 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts after a no foul call during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks on November 29, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

The Clippers Are Circling The Toilet

Kawhi Leonard answers questions at a Clippers media day presser

Kawhi Leonard Breaks His Silence, Sort Of

Podcasts

A Dissection Of The Kawhi Leonard Scandal, With Noah Kulwin

Steve Ballmer Pleads Ignorance About Kawhi Leonard’s Outside Money

Ray Ratto

Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers attends a press conference at the Jianyang Cultural and Sports Center Gymnasium during his 2025 Asia Tour on August 23, 2025.

Kawhi Leonard And Los Angeles Clippers Implicated In Low-Effort Tree-Planting Scheme

Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers drives on Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Kawhi Leonard Is Just Living With It

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Hmm, What About The Clippers?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 16: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers celebrates after a three-point basket during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on January 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

Paul George Makes The Clippers Terrifying

James Harden dribbles up the court while smiling.

This Might Be Working After All

Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 14, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.

The Clippers Need Some New Ideas

Israel Daramola

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 05: Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers react from the bench during a 125-118 LA Clippers win at Crypto.com Arena on April 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Getting Old Sucks

Russell Westbrook #0 of the LA Clippers speaks in front of Kawhi Leonard #2, Marcus Morris Sr. #8, Ivica Zubac #40 and Tyronn Lue of the LA Clippers during a 108-101 Minnesota Timberwolves win at Crypto.com Arena on February 28, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Clippers Don’t Feel So Good

What The Damn Hell

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers slam dunks against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the first half in Game Four of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Staples Center on June 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard Locks In

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers dunks the ball against Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of Game Seven of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

It All Changes So Quickly

Nobody Wants To Play In This Damn All-Star Game

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue looks confused and distressed.

Things Are Going Extremely Normally For The Clippers

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 06: LA Clippers executive board member Jerry West attends a game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center on July 6, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)