The LA Clippers received multiple trade inquiries for Kawhi Leonard in the final hour before last Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Stein reported the details Monday on The Stein Line, citing league sources familiar with the discussions.
Interest in Leonard intensified after word spread across the league that Los Angeles had agreed to trade center Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers. That move signaled a significant roster shift and prompted teams to check the Clippers’ stance on their franchise cornerstone.
Leonard has one season remaining on his current contract at $50.3 million before becoming a free agent. The 33-year-old forward has played at an All-NBA level for stretches this season, increasing his trade value despite the financial commitment attached to his deal.
Stein reported that the expectation around the league is that teams will renew their pursuit of Leonard in June. Front offices are monitoring the Clippers’ direction closely as the offseason approaches.
Los Angeles made three major trades ahead of the deadline, reshaping both its roster and future draft capital. The most notable move sent James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round pick, effectively resetting the team’s timeline at point guard.
The Zubac deal with Indiana marked another pivotal moment. The Clippers moved their longest-tenured player along with Kobe Brown and received Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, a protected 2026 first-round pick, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round selection.
That transaction significantly boosted the organization’s draft flexibility, a factor that league executives believe could influence how the Clippers approach Leonard’s future. Leonard’s contract status places added urgency on long-term planning.
The third move involved Chris Paul, who was rerouted to the Toronto Raptors in a tax-related deal. Los Angeles received only the draft rights to Vanja Marinkovic.
Following the deadline, the Clippers sit ninth in the Western Conference at 25–27. The team remains in the Play-In Tournament mix but trails several contenders in a crowded standings race.
Leonard remains the focal point of the roster, which now includes Garland, Mathurin, John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Nicolas Batum. His two-way impact continues to define the team’s competitive ceiling.
