The Houston Rockets could be looking to add another star in the form of Kawhi Leonard.
The Los Angeles Clippers had arguably their most disappointing season of the Kawhi Leonard era in 2025-26 as the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22.
The team retooled in the offseason, retaining Leonard, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac, but adding John Collins to provide more interior depth, signing Bradley Beal to try and replace the production of Norman Powell, who was part of the Collins trade, and bringing back Chris Paul to help steady the bench.
It all fell apart early with Beal being lost for the season due to a hip injury, Paul being sent home from the team to bring a sad end to his Hall of Fame career, and a 6-21 start.
Though the team turned things around, it wasn't enough to inspire long-term belief, and Harden and Zubac were traded at the deadline.
The midseason retooling has left questions about the future of Kawhi, who is eligible for an extension this offseason as he enters the final year of his deal.
New Suitor For Kawhi Leonard
The Golden State Warriors reportedly attempted to acquire Kawhi at the deadline, but ultimately the Clippers held firm on their superstar. But a willingness to engage in discussions has at least opened the door of possibilities.
According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, the Houston Rockets could discuss the possibility of bringing Kawhi in to help get them over the hump.
Iko writes, "The Rockets won’t necessarily pigeonhole or wed themselves to one type of star, but desired additions such as the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, the Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell, the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 76ers’ Joel Embiid, among others, will be discussed, sources said, but fit, opportunity cost and price go hand in hand."
The Rockets acquired Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns last offseason in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and more in hopes of adding the missing ingredient to their struggling offense.
Houston won the same amount of games in the regular season, but one less playoff game, losing in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant missed five of the six playoff games.
Clippers Interest
The Rockets have desirable names in Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, though it's unclear if the Rockets would be willing to part with either player. Reed Sheppard, the number three overall pick in 2024, has promising upside despite an inconsistent second season, and there is Jabari Smith Jr and Tari Eason as well.
The Clippers don't have any of their outright first round picks until 2030, while the Rockets have their own picks from 2028 to 2032 -- the 2029 pick has a number of swap rights attached -- along with the Suns pick and the Nets pick (Houston has swap rights) in 2027.