Was Kawhi Leonard Trade Discussed by Clippers? NBA Insider Reveals New Rumors from NBA Deadline

Despite their surprising sell-off at the trade deadline by moving James Harden and Ivica Zubac, the Los Angeles Clippers reportedly never got close to dealing Kawhi Leonard.

On the latest episode of The Zach Lowe Show (starts at 11:25 mark), NBA insider Zach Lowe reported there was "no trade buzz" around Leonard leading up to the deadline.

"Right now, Kawhi has no money in '27-28. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after next season. I heard no Kawhi trade buzz at all the entire week," Lowe said.

The Zubac deal, in particular, seemed to raise questions about whether or not the Clippers were preparing to enter a full-scale rebuild. They swapped the veteran center and Kobe Brown to the Indiana Pacers for a package of Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson and three draft picks, including two first-rounders.

Zubac is a strong rim protector who is signed for two seasons beyond the 2025-26 campaign with reasonable salaries of $20.3 million and $21.8 million.

Moving Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers was a bit of a surprise given how well the Clippers have been playing, but he has a long history of moving when he thinks his current team doesn't want to pay him. The 11-time All-Star did deny that he requested a trade before the deal went down.

Even though there apparently wasn't any discussion about Leonard prior to the trade deadline, it doesn't mean there can't be talks in the summer. He might be more attractive as a trade piece in the offseason since he will be playing on a $50.3 million expiring contract in 2026-27.

It's gone a bit unnoticed because the Clippers got off to such a bad start this season, but Leonard is playing some of the best basketball of his career right now. The six-time All-Star is averaging 27.6 points on 49.7 percent shooting (39.0 percent from three), 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 37 starts.

Health is always the biggest question for Leonard, but he's still more than capable of being a difference-maker. The Clippers are 15-5 in their last 20 games and have moved within four games of the Golden State Warriors for eighth in the West.