Kawhi Leonard is quietly fueling the Clippers' trade deadline dreams

If there are extensive levels of hype being built around a James Harden trade, as reported on multiple separate occasions by Marc Stein through his connections with executives inside the NBA, where will Kawhi Leonard go? Well, he has been playing phenomenally lately to help the LA Clippers win, but in reality, his trade value is snowballing.

Leonard just had his sixth 30-point performance of the season, and unlike most of the rest, the Clippers won. He recorded 32 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, and was at the helm of a 15-point win versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

Overall, he was excellent. He also had a possession in which he cleanly stole the ball from LeBron James and went coast-to-coast, finishing with a two-handed jam like it was 2015.

Thus, each game, half, quarter, and possession will play a role in the lucky team that could land Leonard.

Kawhi Leonard will not be difficult to trade

The LA Clippers are not going to leave Kawhi Leonard in a 20-plus loss disaster alone if James Harden is traded. A trade for one would essentially mean another trade for the other is coming, as either they stick together or are gone in different deals; they are what is known as a package.

Leonard's perception on the current trade market is that he will be the rare case of a superstar on the trade block with no team interested. This is fair, yet he is still averaging 25.2 points and 6.1 rebounds.

His performances this season would have easily led to an all-NBA and all-star selection had the Clippers been a top-eight seed.

Moreover, a fair price for Leonard, given the pros that he is still dominating in his 30s, can be a first option on a championship team, and has excellent experience, with the cons of his injury history and league investigation for alleged cap circumvention, should be at least a first-round pick and a rising young talent.

The youngster does not need to be on the level of Cooper Flagg or Alex Sarr; LA just needs someone bright who can break out on a team that fits them.

That said, how Leonard played against the Los Angeles Lakers, his stat lines before that, and what he does tonight versus Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets will speak volumes on how he should be valued in this year’s trade season.