A popular question right now in the trade market is which superstar will demand a higher return: Kawhi Leonard or Giannis Antetokounmpo. They each have pros and cons related to various factors, yet in an ESPN publication put together by Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, it was noted that an executive in the Eastern Conference would trade more for the two-time champion.
This is mind-blowing for fans of the LA Clippers, as it’s now hard to imagine how much of a haul Leonard would be able to bring in if teams would likely comfortably pay a combination of highly valuable draft picks and proven young potential for Antetokounmpo.
Nonetheless, the update shared by Windhorst and Bontemps is excellent news for the Clippers’ long-term plans and for how their offseason could pan out if all goes well.
It makes sense why Kawhi would bring more of a return than Giannis
The next era for the LA Clippers was already looking like something special. They have proven stars, age-friendly players, rising young talent, and many draft picks. Realistically, Clipper Nation never thought things would become this good at the rate that they did, and now they’re finding out Kawhi Leonard could possibly bring more back in return than a 31-year-old, two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo?
It’s an exciting truth to accept, but in all honesty, what was said by the Eastern Conference executive adds up. Leonard was healthier in 2025-26, performed better, and, overall, displayed more of the winning characteristics that teams interested in a blockbuster trade will prioritize.
Just look at his numbers: 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from a distance, through 65 games of action.
Compare that to Antetokounmpo’s, of 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists, shooting 62.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, in a much smaller sample size of 36 games, and you’ll see the difference.
So, all things considered, the Clippers should use Leonard’s trade value, which will probably never rise further than it is for the rest of his career, to their advantage and look for shoppers who have upcoming lottery picks.
This is also the strategy the Bucks will aim for, as they have a top-ten spot in the draft themselves, but based on the insight above from Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps, it won’t be to the same degree as the Clippers.
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