Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw against the Golden State Warriors during the NBA play-in tournament at Intuit Dome on April 15, 2026.

Forward Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers shoots a free throw against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Intuit Dome on April 15, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

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Warriors, Heat Interested In Trading For Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard; ‘No One’ Knows If He’s ‘Available’

Ashish MathurJune 19, 2026 6:07 PMJune 19, 2026 6:12 PM

DHJ Quick Take: Warriors and Heat Lurking for Leonard

Dual-Team Sweepstakes: The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are both expressing strong trade interest in Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard, who enters the final year of his contract without a no-trade clause.
Miami’s Contingency Strategy: While the Heat remain actively engaged in trying to land Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks, the front office is fully prepared to pivot and aggressively pursue Leonard if their primary pursuit falls through.
Warriors’ Sustained Pursuit: Golden State’s interest is far from new, as the front office has been actively attempting to orchestrate a blockbuster deal for the veteran forward—who is owed $50.3 million next season—since February.

The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are interested in trading for Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.

Miami is trying to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. If the Heat don’t land Antetokounmpo, they will attempt to get Leonard from the Clippers.

Meanwhile, the Warriors have been trying to acquire Leonard since February.

“League sources also confirmed a report from NBA reporter Jake Fischer that the LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard is on the Heat’s Plan B list (or the Golden State Warriors’ Plan A list). The issue around the league is that no one seems to know if Leonard is available. Or, for that matter, if the NBA’s never-ending investigation into the Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention with Leonard might be an issue for any team that takes him on when it comes to possible discipline.

Leonard, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause, has one year left on his contract. He will make $50.3 million next season.

The Clippers have the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft. They acquired Darius Garland in the James Harden deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Isaiah Jackson and Bennedict Mathurin, along with draft picks, in the Ivica Zubac trade with the Indiana Pacers.

While many people believe the Clippers should trade Leonard, owner Steve Ballmer has maintained a firm stance against trading the forward, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season. The swingman played in 65 games, the most games he’s appeared in since the 2023-24 season, but the Clippers missed the playoffs after losing to the Warriors in the 9-10 play-in game at home.

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 in the regular season and 21.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in the playoffs.

Leonard has been traded once in his career. San Antonio traded him to Toronto in 2018. The Raptors won the 2019 title against the Warriors in six games.

Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Star. He turns 35 on June 29. The California native signed with the Clippers in 2019 in free agency. LAC has never reached the NBA Finals in franchise history. The Leonard era with the Clippers has been pretty disappointing.

It will be fascinating to see if the Clippers trade or keep Leonard, who has been interviewed by NBA investigators as part of the ongoing investigation into allegations that LAC circumvented the salary cap to compensate him.