New Kawhi Leonard Trade Rumors Reveal Timeline for Deal amid Clippers Contract Talks

With Giannis Antetokounmpo set to be traded to the Miami Heat, another former NBA Finals MVP could end up on the trade block soon.

Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, there is a sense the Los Angeles Clippers will "look to move" Kawhi Leonard if they can't sign him to a contract extension this summer.

Haynes did note talks between the Clippers and Leonard's camp have not yet happened, but they will likely occur after the draft is complete so the team can outline its plan to Leonard based on how things play out.

Leonard is set to earn $50.3 million in 2026-27, the final season of his three-year, $149.5 million contract signed in January 2024.

The terms of a potential extension could be a potential sticking point between Leonard and the Clippers. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective podcast last week that the Clippers will likely want Leonard "to take a pay cut" on a new deal.

It's unclear how much of a pay cut the Clippers would want Leonard to take, but they have done a good job of clearing out their books as they try to reset around younger players.

After trading Ivica Zubac and James Harden in February, the Clippers are set to be $38.8 million under the luxury tax next season even with Leonard's salary factored in.

The Zubac trade resulted in the Clippers landing the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NBA draft that they used on Keaton Wagler, who will pair in the backcourt with Darius Garland.

Leonard did give himself plenty of negotiating leverage by having one of the best seasons of his career in 2025-26. He averaged 27.9 points on 50.5 percent shooting, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in 65 starts to finish seventh in MVP voting.

Given the extensive injury history for Leonard, the Clippers could also try to cash in by trading him for a nice return if they want to go all-in on a rebuild. He will turn 35 on June 29 and has only played more than 60 games twice in the past nine seasons.