Kawhi Leonard could become one of the biggest names this offseason as trade discussions surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers continue to heat up.
The 35-year-old is entering the final season of a three-year contract extension he signed with the Clippers in January 2024 and is expected to make $50.3 million next season.
With Los Angeles facing financial pressure to exceed the salary cap, rivals began exploring Leonard’s availability.
The Dallas Mavericks are one of the teams that has shown interest in the two-time NBA Finals MVP, according to The Athletic. The proposed framework will reportedly include Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, and a draft indemnity heading to Los Angeles.
The move to Dallas would reunite Leonard with Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri, who acquired Leonard in 2018 when he was running the Toronto Raptors front office. That gamble led to an NBA championship, with Leonard earning Finals MVP honors in his only season in Toronto.
Toronto may also be interested in bringing Leonard back.
NBA reporter Jack Fisher reported that Leonard is willing to renew his contract with the Raptors if an agreement can be reached. However, negotiations may depend on which players Toronto is willing to include.
In any potential trade scenario, the Raptors would prefer to trade Brandon Ingram over RJ Barrett. Ingram averaged 21.2 points per game last season and Barrett averaged 19.3 points per game.
Leonard is about to have one of the strongest offensive seasons of his career, averaging a personal-high 27.9 points per game while shooting 57% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
However, not all contenders are an option.
Marc Stein reports that Leonard is not interested in re-signing with the Detroit Pistons, even though they need another star to play alongside Cade Cunningham after a 60-win season.
The San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets have also been linked to Leonard through league speculation, although reports on those teams have been limited.
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