The Los Angeles Clippers could trade Kawhi Leonard this summer, with a proposed deal sending him to the Golden State Warriors for Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, and a 2026 first-round pick as part of a broader roster reset.
Los Angeles Clippers star forward Kawhi Leonard could once again find himself at the center of trade speculation this offseason.
Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz recently floated a hypothetical deal that would send Leonard to another Western Conference contender, the Golden State Warriors.
Since the trade deadline has passed, such a move could only take place during the summer. In Swartz's scenario:
Warriors receive:
Kawhi Leonard
Clippers receive:
Jimmy Butler
Brandin Podziemski
2026 first-round pick (projected No. 12 overall)
A lineup featuring Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and Draymond Green could be a formidable playoff combination, even in the tough Western Conference.
Leonard, who turns 35 in June, is putting up career-high numbers this season with 28.2 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
For the Clippers, the return package offers hope for the future: Butler, if fully recovered from his torn ACL, plus a promising young guard in Podziemski and a mid-first-round pick to bolster the roster.
Also, Kawhi would not be far from home. The veteran forward is an LA native and has been with the LA Clippers since 2019.
Ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, several teams reportedly reached out to Los Angeles about Leonard, including the Golden State Warriors, as the Clippers explored potential roster changes.
For Los Angeles, trading Leonard would mark a clear transition into a new chapter. The team already moved James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline, signaling the start of a broader roster reset.
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