There are no reports that Kawhi Leonard is wanting to leave Los Angeles. Let’s get that clear from the start.
Well, there aren’t any yet, but if the Clippers get swept by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, it feels like the superstar may want out after a second unsuccessful season.
The Clippers are in the danger zone down 0-2, and a first-round exit could mean losing Kawhi Leonard. Could the superstar come to the Golden State Warriors?
One obvious place he could head is Golden State, but for them to cover his contract and have any ability to sign anyone else, the Warriors must trade small forward Andrew Wiggins, likely attaching big-time assets in any deal.
Wiggins is due over $30 million next season, and dealing that contract away will not be easy. They may also have to part ways with either James Wiseman or one of the Big 3 just to kick off any potential thought of adding Leonard.
It would undoubtedly be worth it though as Leonard is a true superstar. Putting up 41 points in a Game 2 loss, Leonard’s ability to score is well known by Dub Nation as he was the leader of the Raptors team that dethroned them in 2019.
That said, Leonard has a $36 million player option next season. It’s assumed he’ll opt-out of his contract regardless of the result of the Clippers postseason. Leonard will headline the NBA’s 2021 free agency class.
Averaging 24.8 points and a career-high 5.2 assists per game this past season, Leonard will have every team begging for his services. The Clippers are still easily the favorite to bring back Leonard, but there’s no denying a second straight emptyhanded trip should sway his decision.
The Clippers lost to the Nuggets before even making the Western Conference Finals last season. Another failure to get through the first two rounds could be detrimental to the Clippers’ potentially short-lived dynasty.
I need Dallas to beat the clippers so Kawhi can be a Warrior
— P-Lo (@p_lo) May 23, 2021
That’s not even the best one though.
Kawhi Leonard on his way to Warriors next season pic.twitter.com/gesvoZc0Ed
— Bigdrew (@DrewSauceEmUp) May 26, 2021
The Warriors may not have a good route to signing Leonard if he wanted to leave, but general manager Bob Myers has been able to make the seemingly impossible work in the past. First and foremost, Leonard’s Clippers need to be knocked out.
That’s when the real excitement will commence. Until then, sit back, grab your popcorn, and wait to see if the Clippers implode against the Mavericks in Game 3, which is currently slated for Friday, May 28.