On the trade block this summer, the most polarizing trade target of them all is, by far, Evan Mobley, due to his offensive production and underwhelming growth in the NBA. Fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers want superstar-level production from Mobley, rightfully so, considering he has the potential and was drafted third overall in 2021, but that just hasn’t been there.
As a result, he is seen as someone the Cavaliers could move on from this summer, if the right superstar is in negotiation. Regarding the LA Clippers, that could very well be Kawhi Leonard. And, though many may not be willing to admit it, Mobley in red, white, and blue, would be a great addition.
He has strong characteristics on both sides of the ball and fits the Clippers culture to a T, making him the perfect fit. In fact, coaches like Jeff Van Gundy would love to have him.
It’s also worth mentioning that he would be reunited with Darius Garland, a guard who brought the best out of him in Cleveland.
Despite the criticism, Evan Mobley is still an extremely talented player
The critics say that Evan Mobley hasn’t really progressed much offensively since entering the league. To their point, they are exactly right; Mobley has never had a seasonal scoring average past 18.5 points, and considering his rookie year, when he posted 15.0, it’s easy to see why such narratives have developed.
Additionally, Mobley has regressed as a three-point shooter. He went from 37% and over in his third and fourth seasons to just 29.7% in 2025-26.
However, Mobley is still a high-end pick-and-roll finisher, understands how to space the floor, and has athleticism that pops at the four-man position.
Did he live up to the draft hype? Probably not, but he’s only 24, has accomplished quite a bit, like an All-Star and All-NBA appearance, and has room for growth, especially if he joins a system like the LA Clippers.
Most importantly, Mobley’s defensive abilities must not be overlooked. He’s one of the best in the NBA on that side of the ball and has a Defensive Player of the Year in his showroom to back it up.
So, if the Clippers can snag him, among other assets, for just Kawhi Leonard, that’s worth it, no matter how you look at it.
They would get much younger, sharpen their defense as a whole, and get closer to becoming a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.
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