Clippers Trade Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Interested in Move to Los Angeles

San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard reportedly has interest in getting traded to either the Los Angeles Clippers or Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Wojnarowski noted that while both the Clippers and Lakers have interest in Leonard as well, the Spurs aren't in a hurry to get a deal done since Leonard previously expressed a desire to sign a super-max contract, which can only be garnered if he re-signs with San Antonio.

Jabari Young of the San Antonio Express-News reported Friday that Leonard wanted to be traded on the heels of a controversial season that saw him appear in only nine games due to a quad injury.

Wojnarowski also reported that Leonard prefers the Lakers over the Clippers, but the Los Angeles native has his eye on returning to his hometown regardless.

Leonard can become a free agent after the 2018-19 season if he opts out of the final year of his deal, and while neither the Clippers nor Lakers can offer him a super-max extension, ESPN's Chris Haynes reported that Leonard is fine with leaving the money on the table because he has a "feeling of betrayal" with the Spurs that is "irreparable."

There were constant questions within the media regarding Leonard's status and whether he would return to the lineup in 2017-18.

Per Wojnarowski, there was even a players-only meeting in March during which his Spurs teammates implored him to play, however, he did not come back.

The Spurs still managed to make the playoffs without Leonard, as they went 47-35, while both the Clippers and the Lakers missed the postseason.

Although the Lakers likely have more young talent than the Clippers in the form of Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball, the Clips went 42-40 and missed the playoffs by only five games, while the Lakers missed by 12 games at 35-47.

The Clippers were a team in transition last season after trading point guard Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets and power forward Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons.

While the Clips are lacking a superstar player, they have a lot of depth and several players who would make for a great supporting cast around Leonard, including Louis Williams, Tobias Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Avery Bradley.

Also, guard Austin Rivers and center DeAndre Jordan have player options for next season.

If the Clippers put together a trade package for Leonard, there is seemingly a good chance that it would include the No. 12 and No. 13 overall picks in the 2018 NBA draft.