A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Detroit Pistons has been created.
NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Pistons and Clippers:
Detroit Pistons get: Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers get: Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, a 2027 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick swap
This trade can go down in the offseason. It can’t happen right now since the 2026 NBA trade deadline has passed.
The Clippers are no longer a championship contender after trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers at this year’s trade deadline. Leonard turns 35 in June. The swingman will make $50.3 million next season in the final year of his contract.
This NBA trade idea pairs Leonard with Pistons All-Stars Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. Detroit also keeps rising star Ausar Thompson.
“The biggest reason this would make sense for Detroit is the simple fact that Kawhi is still one of the 5-10 best players in the league,” Bailey wrote. “Adding that kind of talent to Cunningham (who’s probably around the same range in the league’s hierarchy) could take the Pistons from contender to favorite in the East.”
Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was named a top 75 player of all time in 2021. The California native holds career averages of 20.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers.
The Clippers signed Leonard in the offseason of 2019. Leonard’s stint with LAC has been disappointing, as the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals and Leonard hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Leonard is putting up MVP numbers this season. He’s averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game while shooting 49.7% from the field, 37.2% from beyond the arc and 90.4% from the free-throw line.
It will be fascinating to see where Leonard is playing next season. He will most likely not be on the Clippers since the team is rebuilding.
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