The biggest winner from the Kawhi Leonard trade might not be the team that got him.
The Los Angeles Clippers sent Leonard back to the Raptors as part of a deal that kicked off the 2026 offseason in dramatic fashion, and Philadelphia 76ers fans have plenty of reason to pay close attention. Even though the Sixers were not involved in the swap, they now hold one of the most attractive pieces tied to it: the Clippers’ unprotected first-round pick in 2028, plus the right to swap picks in 2029.
That setup suddenly looks even better for Philadelphia. The Clippers are shifting into a full rebuild, and the source of the move makes the future outlook pretty clear.
LA is now turning toward a youth movement with Darius Garland, Bennedict Mathurin, and Keaton Wagler, among others, while also beginning to rebuild the draft capital it has lost. In the short term, that usually means wins take a back seat.
The new NBA draft lottery rules may have put a little more uncertainty around just how valuable those picks can be, but the 76ers are still in position to benefit if those selections land high. And because Philly is still firmly in the mix for playoff contention in the Eastern Conference, it doesn’t have to tank to put itself in line for a premium draft asset.
The Clippers did manage to put together a solid season before making this move. They finished with a winning record despite a brutal 6-21 start and missed the playoffs in a crowded Western Conference. Leonard was the driving force behind that turnaround, closing the year with an MVP-caliber season.
Toronto gets Leonard back. But Philadelphia may be the team holding the most valuable chip when all of this shakes out.
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Mike Gansey May Already Be Closing A 76ers Need
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Mike Ganseys background only adds another layer here, since he already knows Wade from their Cleveland connection. For a Philadelphia team still sorting out its roster needs, that familiarity could matter as the 76ers weigh which pieces best fit the next version of the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Free Agent Suddenly Drawing Serious Interest From Outside Philly
The Pacers head into free agency with a clear need to fortify the wing and add more help in the middle, and theyve already made a little room to maneuver by moving Kam Jones to Chicago. With the market set to open at 6:00 PM EST, Indiana is among the teams getting its board in order early, a routine part of the offseason that can quickly turn competitive once teams are allowed to start lining up agreements Tuesday evening.
Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that Indiana has been doing work on a few wing options, with one veteran in particular standing out because of the blend of size, defense and scoring he could bring. For the Pacers, who are trying to squeeze more value out of every roster spot, the question now is whether that interest turns into something more concrete as free agency gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]