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LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks to pass during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks at Intuit Dome on Monday, March 9, 2026 in Inglewood, CA. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing an uncertain future when it comes to superstar forward Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has been facing some drama off the court due to an NBA investigation into his contract. However, the Clippers made some moves ahead of the trade deadline this year that could signal a “rebuild” of sorts.
Before the deadline, Los Angeles traded superstar guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After that move was made, the Clippers also shipped star big man Ivica Zubac out of town to the Indiana Pacers.
In return, Los Angeles received younger talents like Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin. There were also draft picks included in those packages as well.
Should the Clippers decide to go further towards a quick rebuild, trading Leonard during the upcoming NBA offseason could make a lot of sense.
Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons Linked to Potential Kawhi Leonard Trade
A new suggestion has been made that would see Los Angeles and the Pistons come together on a blockbuster trade featuring Leonard.
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has suggested a trade that sends Leonard to Detroit in exchange for Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Halland, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick swap.
“In total, this deal gives the Clippers Robinson’s shooting, young talent and multiple picks,” Bailey wrote. “And the resulting core could be ready to compete for a playoff spot as early as next season.”
As for the Pistons, trading for Leonard would give them a chance to make a run at the NBA Finals.
“The biggest reason this would make sense for Detroit is the simple fact that Kawhi is still one of the 5-10 best players in the league,” he wrote. “Adding that kind of talent to Cunningham (who’s probably around the same range in the league’s hierarchy) could take the Pistons from contender to favorite in the East.”
Other Potential Suitors for Kawhi Leonard
Throughout the course of the 2025-26 NBA season thus far with the Clippers, Leonard has remained playing at a high level.
Leonard has played in 50 games this season. He has averaged 27.9 points per game to go along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and two steals, while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from three-point range.
Surprisingly enough, Leonard’s scoring would be an career-best for him if he remains above 27.1 points per game.
Who else could emerge as a potential Leonard trade suitor this offseason outside of Detroit? A few teams come to mind.
Teams like the Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, and even the Minnesota Timberwolves could come calling. Another team to monitor could be the New York Knicks, or even the Los Angeles Lakers.
Only time will tell if Los Angeles decides to make Leonard available. Should he hit the trade market during the offseason, the Clippers will have an overwhelming amount of interest.
Evan Massey Evan Massey is a sports reporter and analyst located in Indianapolis, Indiana who covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, and college sports. He has been featured on many publications, including Newsweek, Athlon Sports, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, Forbes, Bleacher Report, Sporting News, and many others. In his free time, Evan enjoys spending time with his wife and son. More about Evan Massey
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