A new report suggests the Golden State Warriors could target Kawhi Leonard.
The Los Angeles Clippers saw their season come to an end at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.
It was an up-and-down season for the Clippers with the team getting off to an awful start, falling nearly 20 games below .500 before Christmas.
The team turned things around at the end of December, climbing back into the play-in race. Despite the mid-season turnaround, the team traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline, bringing in Darius Garland, Bennidct Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and draft capital.
Through it all, Kawhi Leonard turned in his best individual season, averaging a career high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists.
The Future of Kawhi Leonard
Though Leonard steadied the ship in Los Angeles for much of the season, it was the fifth straight season of disappointment for the Clippers. They didn't make the playoffs in 2021-22 and were bounced in the first round in the last three seasons before once again failing to make the playoffs this season.
Leonard has one more year left on his deal, and with Los Angeles retooling, they have received calls on Leonard.
No team has had more interest than the Warriors.
According to a report from ESPN, the Warriors pursued Leonard ahead of this year's trade deadline. They were ultimately turned down, but the Warriors believed it was close.
"Some within the Warriors organization believe a Leonard trade was close. Others were skeptical. On the Clippers side, it was a steadfast no from Ballmer, who wields the ultimate hammer," according to the report.
Clippers Outlook
Due to the Paul George trade in 2019, the Clippers don't have a first round pick in the upcoming draft. Their pick is currently 12th and owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their 2027 first round pick could go to OKC in a pick swap, their 2028 first round pick is owed to Philadelphia, and Philadelphia has swap rights in 2029.
Basically, they don't own their first round pick until 2030.
With little capital to rebuild through the draft, a trade of Kawhi would help them acquire potentially multiple first round picks or a young player to potentially build around alongside Garland and Mathurin.
Clippers executive Lawrence Frank has said that he still wants to win with Kawhi and will talk to him about a potential extension. He also identified three areas in which the Clippers can improve, including rebounding, secondary playmaking, and shooting.