Getty
Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Golden State Warriors did not get their man at the trade deadline. They tried for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They explored Jaren Jackson Jr. They called the Los Angeles Clippers about Kawhi Leonard. None of it came together. General manager Mike Dunleavy eventually pivoted to Kristaps Porzingis, a move that has not paid off so far, with the big man missing significant time since arriving in Golden State.
With the season winding down and questions building about what comes next, the Leonard conversation has not gone away entirely. ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Ramona Shelburne reported that Golden State made contact with the Clippers when it looked like Los Angeles might be open to moving their franchise star. A deal never materialised. But Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has now laid out a trade framework that would bring Leonard to Chase Center this summer, and the logic behind it is worth examining.
Warriors Could Land Kawhi Leonard in Blockbuster Offseason Deal
GettyJimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors defends against the dribble of Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Swartz’s proposed framework would see the Warriors send Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and a 2026 first-round pick projected at No. 12 overall to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard. Los Angeles would get a rehabilitating star in Butler, a young guard in Podziemski, and draft capital to rebuild around. Golden State would get one of the most gifted two-way players of his generation.
The pitch for the Warriors is straightforward. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green are not getting any younger. Leonard, 34, is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game this season, earning another All-Star nod in the process. In the 2025 playoffs, he averaged 25.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists while shooting 53 percent from the field. When fit, he remains a championship-level player. That has never really been in doubt.
Warriors Would Be Taking a Risk on Leonard
GettyKawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The injury history is one of the most debated topics in basketball, and it would follow him to Golden State. Load management has been part of his career for years, and there is an additional complication. The NBA is currently examining the Clippers over concerns about possible salary cap circumvention involving Leonard’s contract, a wrinkle that adds uncertainty to any potential deal.
Giannis remains a wildcard too. If that pursuit reignites in the summer, it would almost certainly take priority over Leonard. The two-time MVP staying in Milwaukee through the February deadline does not close that door permanently, and Dunleavy has shown he is willing to be aggressive when the right target is available, as last year’s Butler trade demonstrated.
Final Word for Golden State
Swartz’s proposal is a thought experiment, not a done deal. But the underlying premise is hard to argue with. A Curry, Leonard, and Green combination in 2027 would be a legitimate contender. The Warriors settled for Porzingis when the bigger swings did not land. This summer, they may get another chance to think bigger.
Whether Leonard ends up in Golden State depends on many things. But the interest was real once. It could be real again.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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