One of the main questions fans have, aside from who will be selected with the fifth overall pick, is which team Kawhi Leonard will play for in the 2026-27 regular season. There are a few destinations he fits perfectly on, but because there hasn’t been a single indication that he’s on the trade block, literally nothing from either side, it’s becoming clear he may just finish out the last year of his contract in LA.
One would think that, like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, another superstar likely on the move, news would’ve been broken that the Clippers are fielding calls for Leonard. That’s what typically happens in these types of situations, and it gives interested suitors enough time to put together a package that could actually be agreed to.
That’s not the case with Leonard, even the slightest. Everything up until this point is just speculation.
The Clippers may prefer to keep Kawhi for the long run
Not only is it difficult to imagine Kawhi Leonard dominating for another team, as he’s been with the LA Clippers for seven seasons, but it’s also unfathomable for the front office to make a blockbuster trade given their loyalty, respect, and sense of want they have for him.
They’ve had a number of opportunities over the years to move on from Leonard, when he was at his lowest point and highest, and still chose to hold on. This says something about how highly the front office regards him.
So, if there’s a path where Leonard can stick around on the Clippers, where he may like to be, considering LA is close to home, it’ll probably be heavily considered. And, the fact of the matter is that there is.
Leonard could easily finish next season with the Clippers and re-sign on a discounted deal in the ballpark of $30-$40 million annually for the next few seasons.
The idea of this might be right up Leonard’s alley in terms of what his desires are, and for the Clippers, it’s an excellent outcome.
They’ll have a multi-year window to maximize where the young core can be developed, with the faces being the fifth overall pick and Darius Garland, while the team fights for the postseason behind Leonard’s lead.
That’s the best of both worlds, and in the process, crucial learning experiences will be gained, which will certainly make a night-and-day difference in the post-Leonard era.
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