Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court during a game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 27, 2026.

Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers on March 27, 2026. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Kawhi Leonard Trade Proposal Sends Los Angeles Clippers Star To Miami Heat

Ashish MathurApril 29, 2026 4:07 PM

DHJ Quick Take

The Swap: ESPN’s Andre Snellings proposed a trade where the Miami Heat acquire Kawhi Leonard and Kris Dunn in exchange for a package including Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins and two unprotected first-round picks (2030 and 2032).
Clippers’ Pivot: The proposal comes as NBA insiders suggest the Los Angeles Clippers should move on from Leonard this offseason, given the team’s shift away from championship contention and the need to recoup assets.
Contract Context: Leonard is entering the final year of his current deal (slated to earn $50.3 million next season), making him a high-risk, high-reward target for a Heat team looking for a veteran superstar to pair with Bam Adebayo.

A blockbuster trade proposal sending Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Miami Heat has been created.

Andre Snellings of ESPN created the following trade proposal between the Clippers and Heat:

Heat get: Kawhi Leonard, Kris Dunn

Clippers get: Andrew Wiggins, Tyler Herro, 2030 unprotected first, 2032 unprotected first

Most insiders who cover the NBA believe the Clippers should and will trade Leonard this offseason since they are no longer a championship contender. Leonard has one year left on his contract. He will make $50.3 million next season.

This trade proposal pairs Leonard with Heat All-Star Bam Adebayo. On paper, Leonard and Adebayo look like a dangerous “Big 2.”

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season for the Clippers, while Adebayo put up 20.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game for the Heat.

“Leonard would be the centerpiece of a Heat team that could help lead Miami back to the success of the Jimmy Butler years,” Snellings wrote. “Leonard is a two-way superstar whose style of play fits into the culture of the Heat, and Dunn is an excellent defensive guard who could pair with ‘Off-Night’ Davion Mitchell to give opposing backcourts nightmares.”

Miami hasn’t won a championship since 2013. The franchise went to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023 with Adebayo and Butler leading the way, but the Heat lost both times.

Heat president Pat Riley told reporters at his end-of-the-season press conference that he’s tired of losing.

“I’m really pissed,” Riley said. “I’m disappointed. Disgruntled. Just like everybody else in the organization that understands what we are about — about winning. The last three or four years, with exception of the ’23 season when we got all the way to the Finals, has been something that I am not, we are not proud of. Always trying to compete at the highest levels… We are always going to try to win. If we are competing for the last spot in the play-in, we will fight to the very last breath.”

It will be fascinating to see if the Clippers trade Leonard this offseason. The Heat, who missed the playoffs this season, are expected to pursue Leonard and Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, sources told Dallas Hoops Journal.

A future Hall of Famer, Leonard has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers. He holds career averages of 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Star. He doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so he can’t stop the Clippers from trading him this summer.