The Golden State Warriors are no strangers to bold moves-and as the offseason approaches, all eyes are once again locked on the Bay Area. With the franchise expected to reignite its pursuit of Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA world is bracing for what could be the league’s biggest storyline of the summer. But if the Warriors don’t land the Greek Freak, there's another high-impact name quietly gaining traction behind the scenes: Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard may not carry the same headline-grabbing buzz as Giannis these days, but make no mistake-he’s still one of the most complete two-way players in the game. And according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors are well aware of that.
“He’d be an obvious Warriors candidate as well,” Slater noted recently. “Obviously, they’ve been in the Giannis chase, but they need a big wing who can score and defend.”
That last part is key. Golden State’s championship DNA has always been built around versatility, defense, and high-IQ basketball.
Leonard checks every one of those boxes. At 34, he’s still producing at an elite level, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this season.
He’s also giving you 2.1 steals a night, reminding everyone that his defensive instincts haven’t faded with time.
And then there’s the shooting. Leonard is hitting over 36% from deep for the seventh season in a row, a mark of consistency that would fit seamlessly into the Warriors’ spacing-heavy offense. He doesn’t just stretch the floor-he punishes defenses that sag off, and he’s still more than capable of creating his own shot in crunch time.
The Clippers, after a sluggish start, have found their footing and are now firmly in the playoff conversation. Leonard’s steady presence has been a big reason why. He’s not just stuffing the stat sheet-he’s anchoring a team that needed leadership and production on both ends of the floor.
For the Warriors, who are navigating a transitional phase with aging stars and a younger supporting cast, Leonard could represent a perfect bridge. He brings championship pedigree, playoff poise, and a two-way skill set that would complement the Warriors’ core beautifully-especially if the Giannis dream doesn’t materialize.
Bottom line: If Golden State is looking for a Plan B that still keeps them in the title conversation, Kawhi Leonard is more than just a fallback. He’s a legitimate option with the kind of game that could help extend the Warriors’ window-and maybe even open a new chapter of contention.