Ranking the Clippers' top 5 trade assets this summer
By Will Eudy
2. Kawhi Leonard
Once considered to be in the best player in the world conversation when he first joined the Clippers in 2019, Kawhi Leonard has had plenty of ups and downs over the course of the last five years. At his peak and when fully healthy, Kawhi can still be considered an elite two-way superstar with the ability to affect the game at a higher level than 99% of players in the league.
His elite shot-making from all over the floor and lockdown one-on-one defense are the biggest reasons the Clips saw him as their next franchise player. Since 2019, he has not become "washed" or lost a step in terms of what he is best at, but he has certainly been limited by injuries. Already coming to LA with a history of debilitating injuries, things have not gotten any better for the superstar wing. Kawhi has finished only one season as a Clipper fully healthy.
That is the main thing keeping him off the top place on this list. At full health and with no concern for future injuries that would sideline him or limit his effectiveness, Leonard would easily be the Clippers' top trade asset, even given his massive contract extension that will pay him north of $50 million for each of the next three seasons.