The LA Clippers may be in a for a treat next summer, as The Ringer’s O’Connor has heard “whispers” that Butler and Kawhi don’t want to join LeBron.
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, there are reportedly rumors circulating that both Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard don’t want to join LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers next summer.
Of course, this does not mean that either of the two necessarily want to play for the LA Clippers, either, although they’ve both previously had Los Angeles as a preferred trade destination. The Clippers will also have the most money to offer to free agents next summer, which should increase their odds of landing either of the superstar two-way wings.
Butler, a 29-year-old swingman that’s currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, has been the subject of much discussion for about a month now.
In September, Butler requested a trade from Minnesota, informing the front office of his three preferred trade destinations. The LA Clippers were on the initial list, along with the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks, however it’s the Miami Heat that have been the leading candidate to land Butler, especially lately.
The snag in any potential trade is Tom Thibodeau, who has resisted virtually every offer thrown his way. He has a particularly high asking price for Butler, as the Timberwolves reportedly won’t accept any trade from the Clippers unless Tobias Harris is involved in the deal.
Unlike Butler, Leonard appears satisfied with his current team, the Toronto Raptors, and is favored to re-sign there once free agency begins next July. However, there’s still a decent chance that Leonard wants to return to his hometown of Los Angeles, and play for the Clippers.
There, Leonard would fit in perfectly with the Clamp City mantra, and would get the chance to lead the Clippers to the franchise’s first NBA title alongside another max player.
The reason these rumors are so significant to Clippers fans is an obvious one — superstar free agents finally want to come to Los Angeles to play for the “other” team.
For decades now, the LA Clippers have been a barren franchise with few banners to show for their efforts. Having a star athlete choose to play for the team would not only be a franchise first, but would revitalize Clipper Nation like some have never seen it.
Fans may only need to hang tight a little bit longer — Butler and Leonard could both be arriving as soon as next summer.