The Los Angeles Clippers are heating up on the court - and in the trade market. With the deadline fast approaching, L.A. finds itself juggling two major storylines: a red-hot Kawhi Leonard leading a surging squad, and a front office trying to navigate a complex cap situation centered around Chris Paul’s contract.
Let’s start with the on-court product, because it’s been impressive. The Clippers have won 11 of their last 13 games, including a convincing 119-105 win over the Wizards.
Kawhi Leonard is in full takeover mode, and head coach Tyronn Lue isn’t shy about saying it feels like playoff Kawhi has arrived early. “The mode he’s in right now, it’s like coaching Kawhi in the playoffs,” Lue said.
“He gets to the playoffs, he goes to the next level. Ever since that Laker game, I thought he’s going to that next level.
Every single night willing us through.”
Leonard’s been doing it all - scoring, rebounding, defending - and he’s had to, because the Clippers have leaned heavily on his playmaking. James Harden, who was brought in to help carry that load, has looked a bit worn down recently, shooting just 40% from the field over the last month. It’s clear that while Leonard and Harden are still the engines of this team, they could use a little help under the hood.
That’s where the trade buzz comes in.
The Clippers are reportedly in the market for additional guard help, with names like Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton being floated as potential targets. What’s interesting is that all the players the Clippers are eyeing - including Simons, Sexton, and even Michael Porter Jr., who’s been linked to L.A. - are on expiring deals.
That’s no accident. The Clippers are being strategic here: They want short-term depth without committing to long-term salary, keeping their financial flexibility intact while giving themselves a boost for this playoff push.
But before they can make any real noise on the trade front, they’ve got to address the Chris Paul situation. Moving Paul’s contract is a necessary first step, and so far, that’s proven trickier than expected. The Clippers are actively trying to find a trade partner willing to take on Paul’s deal, ideally in a way that opens up cap space and doesn’t force them to attach too many sweeteners.
There’s also the Ivica Zubac factor. The starting center has drawn interest around the league, and while the Clippers aren’t shopping him outright, his name has been floated in potential packages.
If L.A. is going to swing big - perhaps for someone like Porter Jr. - Zubac could be part of the return going the other way. But the asking price for the big man has only gone up, especially with the way he’s anchored the paint during this recent winning stretch.
The reality is, the Clippers are in a strong position. They’re winning games, their stars are (mostly) healthy, and they’ve got options. If they can find a taker for Paul’s contract and bring in another guard to ease the load on Leonard and Harden, they’ll be even more dangerous heading into the second half of the season.
For now, though, it’s Kawhi’s show - and he’s putting on a clinic.