The Golden State Warriors could benefit significantly from the punishment handed down to the L.A. Clippers as a result of findings into salary cap circumvention surrounding star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The NBA has come down severely on the Clippers, stripping the franchise of five first-round picks among other penalties in a punishment that will drastically restrict their team-building aspirations over much of the next decade.
Kawhi Leonard punishment could benefit Warriors from trade standpoint
According to Third Apron's Yossi Gozlan, the Clippers have now been reduced from nine to four first-round picks over the next seven drafts, none of which they'll be able to utilize in a trade due to the Stepien rule.
The benefits of this for the Warriors are obvious given the Clippers are a direct divisional rival. This should only make the franchise worse for the foreseeable future, albeit the Clippers will clearly try to remain as competitive as possible considering they don't have draft capital to play for. The NBA's new lottery reform system removes much of the desire to tank regardless.
But the punishment also removes a potential rival bidder in trade situations, with both teams historically aggressive in targeting big name players to try and improve their roster. This whole situation stems from the Clippers acquiring Leonard in free agency back in 2019, while also making a now infamous trade for Paul George to help persuade the two-time Finals MVP into joining the franchise.
Clippers updated first-round pick situation after being docked five first-round picks.
— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) September 2, 2026
They go from 9 first-round picks to 4 over the next seven drafts.
Assuming the Stepien rule applies to forfeited first-round picks, they have 0 first-round picks available to trade. pic.twitter.com/EtOG8AOxwe
The Clippers may have seen the writing on the wall with the James Harden and Ivica Zubac trades prior to February's mid-season deadline, and more recently the Leonard trade with the Toronto Raptors which has been on hold pending the outcome of this investigation.
Yet there's little doubt they would have hoped to acquire another star in the coming years to pair with the young backcourt of Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler. Now their only avenue to landing a star over the next few years is through free agency, and even then they're not particularly a desirable destination for players after having their draft capital stripped.
Warriors expected to make big trade in next 12 months
Golden State, meanwhile, have been tipped by ESPN as the team most likely to make a big move before February's mid-season trade deadline. If the Warriors prove buyers then, or at any point over the coming years, they'll have one less rival bidder to worry about.
In now significant contrast to the Clippers, Golden State have all their draft capital in hand outside of a top 20 protected pick in 2030. Combined with nearly $100 million in expiring contracts, including that of veterans Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, the Warriors are primed to revamp their roster at the deadline or in free agency next year.
The Warriors have prioritized optionality over years. Whether they can eventually make use of that remains to be seen, but it's far better than being stuck with nowhere to go as the Clippers now appear after this punishment.
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