The LA Clippers insist the NBA's ongoing investigation into Kawhi Leonard's endorsement deal hasn't affected their roster decisions, even as they made two surprising trades last week. President of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said the team remains confident they're on the right side of the probe while executing moves to reshape their roster. The Clippers traded James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland and sent Ivica Zubac to Indiana for Bennedict Mathurin.

Frank revealed the trades weren't originally planned until Cleveland called about Harden and Indiana offered what he called a "Godfather-type offer" for Zubac. The moves came as the Clippers surged from a 6-21 start to win 19 of their past 25 games. Zubac, who grew up with the Clippers after coming from the Lakers, set career highs last season and became one of the league's top defensive big men.

Trading Harden, 36, for Garland, 10 years his junior, represents the Clippers' strategy to "win now and still get younger." Frank said Leonard was "hurt and disappointed" by the trades but has been "a great partner" through the process. Zubac's departure was particularly emotional, with teammates and staff gathering for a six-to-eight-hour farewell the night before his trade. The investigation centers on allegations of salary cap violations through a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and a now-bankrupt California company.

Quick Fact: The Clippers won 19 of their past 25 games heading into Tuesday night's game against Houston.