Kawhi Leonard is still a Clipper-for now. But don’t mistake that for a lack of interest around the league.
In the final stretch before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, multiple teams reportedly made a push to pry Leonard away from Los Angeles. According to league sources, the calls came fast and late-especially after the Clippers agreed to send Ivica Zubac to Indiana.
That move sparked speculation that L.A. might be open to something bigger. Teams tested the waters.
The Clippers listened. But in the end, they held the line and kept their franchise cornerstone.
That decision wasn’t made lightly, and it doesn’t necessarily close the door on future movement. In fact, the expectation around the league is that Leonard’s name will surface again this summer when the trade market resets and teams have more flexibility to make bold moves.
Here’s why: Leonard is heading into the final year of his contract, set to earn $50.3 million next season before hitting free agency. He’ll turn 35 in June.
And while that age might raise some eyebrows, his play this season has been anything but aging. When healthy, Leonard has quietly delivered some of his most efficient, locked-in basketball since joining the Clippers in 2019.
He’s been the steadying force on both ends of the floor, a reminder of what makes him one of the league’s most impactful two-way players.
But that "when healthy" caveat has followed Leonard throughout his Clippers tenure-and it continues to shape how the team is viewed. The partnership between Leonard and the franchise has always been defined as much by availability as ambition.
Despite the star power and high expectations, L.A. has yet to reach the NBA Finals since Leonard arrived. Injuries, inconsistency, and roster shakeups have kept the Clippers from fully cashing in on their potential.
This year’s trade deadline brought another shift. The Clippers moved on from both James Harden and Zubac, signaling a willingness to retool around the edges.
But they made a clear choice to keep Leonard as the anchor. That move suggests a short-term commitment to competing with this core-at least through the rest of the season.
Long-term? That’s where things get interesting.
Come June, with Leonard entering the final year of his deal and teams gearing up for aggressive offseason moves, the Clippers will likely be fielding calls again. The calculus could change. If L.A. falls short in the playoffs-or if they decide it’s time for a new direction-the pressure to make a move could mount.
For now, Kawhi Leonard remains in Los Angeles. But the league is watching.
And the Clippers know the phone will ring again. The only question is whether next time, they’ll pick up and say yes.