The L.A Clippers are going to feel the impact of the league’s punishment over salary cap circumvention for potentially the next decade, and so much so that it could hand the Golden State their point guard successor to Stephen Curry.
Less than a week after the league stripped the Clippers of five first-round picks amid other punishments related to their dealings with Kawhi Leonard, there’s already speculation over the future of Darius Garland and whether he could be the piece to help the franchise recoup some assets moving forward.
Clippers could look to move Darius Garland after Kawhi punishment
Garland only arrived from the Cleveland Cavaliers in February’s James Harden trade, but Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports has already suggested he could be on the trade block to give the Clippers some draft assets in the coming years.
“The Aspiration-Kawhi Leonard punishment could set into motion a series of events that winds up with Garland being placed firmly on the market as the Clippers seek to recoup as many future draft picks from the roster. Anyone want to give up two picks for him?” Deveney said.
The Clippers are going to need to restore some of Garland’s value before they consider trading him, with the 26-year-old dealing with a toe injury over the last 18 months that saw him limited to only 45 combined games last season.
If Garland can return to the All-Star level player he was during his final full year in Cleveland, it’s entirely possible a rival team would be willing to fork out a couple of first-round picks for a player who averaged over 20 points and nearly seven assists on 40.1% 3-point shooting during the 2024-25 season.
Warriors still looking for their Stephen Curry successor
The Warriors have struggled to find a reliable backup point guard for Curry over recent seasons, let alone find a long-term successor who could step in and become the team’s lead ball-handler and shot-creator once the 38-year-old retires.
In the short-term a Curry-Garland backcourt would bring problems defensively and from a general size (or lack therof) standpoint. It would allow Golden State to have an elite guard on the floor at all times though, and more importantly would reduce some of the unfair burden that's currently placed on the two-time MVP.
The Warriors aren't in a position where they can afford to instantly turn their back on opportunities to capitalize on rival teams' scenarios and a player of Garland's calibre. The Clippers' are in a precarious position that could be exploited, albeit recent history with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard suggests Steve Ballmer isn't eager to send his stars to the Bay Area.
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