Has Kawhi Leonard Played His Last Game With the LA Clippers?
Despite a strong second-half run, Kawhi Leonard and the LA Clippers fell short of a proper playoff run after falling victim to the hot hands of the Golden State Warriors in the NBA play-in tournament on Wednesday.
Kawhi Leonard, still an All-Star at 34, gave one of his best regular-season performances. Now the question becomes: Was it his last with the Clippers?
A recent Marc Stein report detailed that "numerous front offices" anticipate Leonard is among the top stars who could relocate this season.
Given how well Leonard played this year, you might assume the Clippers intend to retain their best player.
Not so fast. It's complicated.
Clippers Already Restarting
1 of 5
The Clippers have already started a rebuild. Acquiring Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin before the trade deadline signaled that the franchise wants to get younger without bottoming out after opening the season with one of the league's oldest rosters.
The offseason trade of Norman Powell, who went on to be an All-Star with the Miami Heat, was an early warning that major change was coming. Moving James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers drove the point home: L.A.'s front office appeared to recognize that this roster had topped out.
It's also no coincidence that the team started winning when Jordan Miller, Kobe Sanders and Yanic Konan Niederhauser took on larger roles. The impact of that young group, plus Garland, Mathurin and two additional first-round picks from Indiana, makes it easier to see a future that doesn't revolve around Leonard.
Why Not An Extension?
2 of 5
Leonard will earn $50.3 million in 2026-27 before hitting free agency in July 2027. The Clippers could extend him now on a deal that starts at up to $61.6 million in 2027-28 and approaches $200 million over three additional seasons.
Even with Leonard playing at a near-prime level, L.A. has to weigh that price against his availability. He has averaged fewer than 48 games per season, including one completely lost year in 2021-22, and there is little reason to expect his durability to improve as he ages.
The Clippers could try to bring him back at a lower number, but their priorities suggest otherwise. If they plan to reinvest in Darius Garland (26) and restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin (nearly 24), committing another massive deal to Leonard does not fit that timeline.
Where Could Leonard Land Via Trade?
3 of 5
Not every team can easily take on a $50.3 million salary, but the offseason is when the league is most flexible. Roster spots, sign-and-trade constructions and apron issues are all easier to navigate before the games start.
The Golden State Warriors stand out as the most logical suitor. They face tough decisions of their own, and with Jimmy Butler sidelined by a knee injury, Golden State is motivated to add another high-end wing. The Clippers would likely demand draft compensation and at least one of the Warriors' young players—Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos or Will Richard—though Golden State would push hard to keep from sending out all three.
The Los Angeles Lakers could generate enough cap room to absorb Leonard, but only by letting LeBron James reach free agency. James is 41 and the league's oldest player, yet it is far from obvious the Lakers would choose Leonard over James while also paying the Clippers to make it happen.
The Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls project to have significant space and could make runs at Leonard via trade, but his age and availability raise real questions for both front offices. Other possibilities include the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks and Orlando Magic, all teams that could talk themselves into a short-window bet on his star power if the price is right.
The NBA Could Alter the Path
4 of 5
According to ESPN, the NBA is investigating whether the Clippers, owner Steve Ballmer and Kawhi Leonard violated league rules by using a $28 million endorsement deal and alleged "no‑show job" with Aspiration, a former team sponsor, to circumvent the salary cap.
While some analysts have pointed out that the league's disciplinary powers could theoretically extend as far as voiding Leonard's contract with the Clippers, there has been no public indication from the NBA that such an outcome is likely or under formal consideration.
If that were to happen, however, Leonard would immediately become an unrestricted free agent under standard NBA contract rules.
The only teams projected to have enough cap room to make a truly lucrative offer are the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets. If none of them pursue him at a max or near-max level, Leonard might have to settle for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (NTMLE), projected at roughly $15 million.
Other contenders could try to thread the needle under the new CBA constraints. Teams like the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets would need to trade salary to duck below the first apron before using the NTMLE on Leonard.
Clippers Post-Kawhi
5 of 5
Assuming the Clippers get through their investigation unscathed, the path they take next depends on what suitors are willing to provide.
The team has several decisions to make this summer, including team options on Bogdan Bogdanović, Brook Lopez, and Nicolas Batum. Kris Dunn's $5.6 million is non-guaranteed. Bradley Beal, out most of the year with a hip injury, has a $5.6 million player option.
Mathurin, who is restricted, will seek a deal starting above $20 million, as close to $30 million as possible. Garland has two years on his deal and will want an extension. Like Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr. is on an expiring contract. The Clippers won't know whether they get the 2026 first-round pick from the Indiana Pacers until the draft lottery, only receiving the selection in the 5-9 range.
Look for the franchise to prioritize young players to complement its backcourt of Garland and Mathurin. Konan Niederhauser is recovering from a foot injury, but the team likes his potential along with that of Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders.
The Clippers won't be near contention upon trading Leonard, but haven't really been since the NBA bubble in 2020. The fans will welcome the refresh, and the franchise will be better off by turning the page.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X/Twitter @EricPincus.
