DHJ Quick Take
- Near-Deal at the Deadline: The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were “reasonably close” to a blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard this past February, with many of the deal terms reportedly agreed upon.
- Clippers Recanted: Despite the advanced stage of negotiations, the Clippers ultimately decided to “pull out” of the talks in the final hour before the trade buzzer.
- Future Pursuit: The Warriors are expected to remain aggressive in their pursuit of Leonard this offseason, especially as his contract status could be impacted by an ongoing NBA investigation into the Clippers for alleged salary-cap circumvention.
The Golden State Warriors came close to trading for Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard at this year’s NBA trade deadline, according to Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard.
Kawakami reports that the Clippers “decided to pull out” of Leonard trade talks with the Warriors.
“To that point, multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February — apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to — before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks,” Kawakami wrote. “Those same sources said that it’s understood around the league that the Warriors will continue to pursue big names.”
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.
Leonard has been injured for the majority of his Clippers tenure, which began in 2019-20, but he’s putting up MVP numbers this season. The talented swingman is averaging 28.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest while shooting 50.3% from the field, 38.0% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
A future Hall of Famer, 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 San Diego State product and California native holds career averages of 20.7 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.
It will be fascinating to see where Leonard is playing next season. If his contract gets voided by the NBA because of the Aspiration scandal, Leonard would be free to sign with any team of his choice as an unrestricted free agent.
The Warriors could miss the playoffs this season. As of this writing, they are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings. The 10th seed has to win two NBA play-in games to make the playoffs as the eighth seed.
Golden State star Stephen Curry turned 38 on March 14. He has one year left on his contract after this season. If the Warriors want to win a fifth championship in the Curry era, they need to get the sharpshooter an elite co-star.
Leonard would certainly fit that bill. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr could start Curry, Jimmy Butler, Leonard, Draymond Green and Kristaps Porzingis next season if Golden State’s front office trades for Leonard and re-signs Porzingis. On paper, that’s a dangerous starting five.
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