Los Angeles Clippers: Post-Lottery Trade Packages for Kawhi Leonard

Package 1

Clippers receive: Kawhi Leonard

Spurs receive: Danilo Gallinari, LAC Picks Nos. 12 and 13

The Clippers should be doing everything they can to get rid of Gallinari’s contract at this point, including (but not limited to) trading away the foreseeable future.

This also happens to be the trade with the most ‘bite you back’ potential, assuming Leonard’s career with the Clippers is short-lived.

Think back to the trade that the Oklahoma City Thunder made last season, for an example of a ‘bite you back’ kind of trade. OKC dealt away a solid young big in Domantas Sabonis, as well as the Indiana Pacers’ new franchise piece, Victor Oladipo, for Paul George. At the time, it seemed like Sam Presti and the Thunder had committed highway robbery. But after an early playoff exit, the Thunder are looking like the ones who were stumped in the trade — especially now that George may be on his way out.

So now, the Thunder are stuck with Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, and are lacking in both the young assets and money departments. Congrats, Sam, you broke a franchise.

The same could go here for the Clippers. Trading Gallo could be great, but dealing that many picks is risky — especially considering Leonard has just two years left on his current contract, including a 2019 player option.

Who’s to say Leonard would re-sign with the Clippers? What if LA doesn’t make as big an impact in the playoffs as expected? Because then you’re stuck with no draft picks, an unhappy team, and an unsatisfied fanbase. And well, that’s far from ideal.