This is such a Clippers move.
Nothing says Clippers like firing a guy for his thoughts about a player on another team. I know the Clippers think they might have a shot in free agency with Kawhi, but this seems like a drastic move.
In the aftermath of critical comments about 2019 free-agent target Kawhi Leonard, Bruce Bowen won’t be renewed as the LA Clippers television game analyst next season, sources told ESPN.
Bowen was under contract with Fox Sports West, but the Clippers — like every organization — have significant input into the hiring of television broadcast talents and withheld approval on extending his contract, sources said.
The sides were expected to move forward on a new deal before Bowen’s public comments on Leonard, sources said. Bowen, a former NBA analyst with ESPN, declined comment when reached on Monday.
“I think there’s nothing but excuses going on,” Bowen told Sirius XM Radio on June 22. “First, it was, ‘Well I was misdiagnosed.’ Look here: You got $18 million this year, and you think that they’re trying to rush you? You didn’t play for the most part a full season this year. And you’re the go-to guy, you’re the franchise, and you want to say that they didn’t have your best interest at heart? Are you kidding me?”
“I think he’s getting bad advice,” Bowen told Sirius. “I think what you’re starting to see now is an individual given a certain amount of advice, and it’s not the right advice. Here it is: You were protected in San Antonio. You were able to come up during a time where you still could lean on Tim [Duncan], Tony [Parker] and Manu [Ginobili].”
Bowen has not commented.