Warriors, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Giannis trade, Kawhi Leonard
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Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on January 19, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.
It seems unlikely the Golden State Warriors can pull off a trade for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Could they pivot instead to LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard?
Longtime Warriors insider Mark Willard has urged the Warriors to pursue Leonard if a Giannis trade falls through, explaining why the Clippers could be open to business after trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
“If the Clippers are interested in getting younger and more athletic, who’s someone who might be interesting to them? It’s Jonathan Kuminga,” Willard said on 95.7 The Game.
“Is there something that can get Kuminga to the Clippers and help the Warriors stay relevant for right now? Leonard’s deal comes off the books next year…”
Willard then floated a hypothetical Warriors trade scenario that would see the franchise part with Kuminga, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis for Leonard.
Clippers Preparing to Move On?
“I have no clue if the Clippers would be interested in this,” added Willard.
“But if you’re the Warriors, and you want to pivot off of Giannis, this is the kind of thing that I could wrap my head around if you are still obsessed with [winning] this year.”
Further to Willard’s point, the Clippers could be open to moving Leonard for a multitude of reasons. Per multiple insiders, they have ambitious plans for the 2027 offseason when Leonard’s contract comes off the books, and they’d be armed with over $120M in cap space. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, the Clippers don’t view Leonard as part of their long-term plans and could hit the free agency market to pursue a new franchise star in 2027, when Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Davis could all become free agents.
“…The Clippers are hell-bent on chasing all the top superstars in ’27 free agency. As it stands, the only Clippers player with guaranteed money for that season is center Ivica Zubac ($20.9 million),” wrote Amick, while highlighting that the Clippers are “widely expected” to move on from Leonard after trading Harden.
Warriors Out of Giannis Trade War?
The idea of Leonard linking up with Stephen Curry is a fascinating one, but the Warriors aren’t ready to throw in the towel on a Giannis trade just yet.
Some conflicting reports emerged Tuesday about the Warriors’ chances of pulling off a Giannis trade. While insider Jake Fischer noted that the Bucks value the trade packages offered by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat — the other two aggressive Giannis trade suitors — more than Golden State’s, ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Antetokounmpo has the Timberwolves atop his list of preferred landing spots, and that the Bucks have yet to reject Golden State’s pick-heavy offer.
“I’ve heard internally Milwaukee values Minnesota’s potential package and Miami’s potential package more than Golden State’s,” Fischer wrote.
The Warriors have reportedly offered the kitchen sink in a potential Giannis trade, with a package headlined by Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, four unprotected first-round picks and multiple pick swaps.