The Dallas Mavericks are one of the potential teams that could offer a strong trade package for Kawhi Leonard this summer. Los Angeles Clippers fans are already preparing for Leonard to leave with only one year guaranteed on his contract as an older player. This season’s trades of James Harden and Ivica Zubac saw the Clippers trading better talent in favor of younger assets to build around.
Fadeaway World revealed the following realistic trade package and logic for Leonard to the Mavericks:
“Dallas Mavericks Receive: Kawhi Leonard
LA Clippers Receive: PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Naji Marshall, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2032 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Masai Ujiri has plunged for Leonard as the marquee piece on his team before, and that led to an instant Championship win. While the Mavericks are a long way off from being contenders once again, making a huge splash on a player like Leonard might make them genuine instant contenders.”
Two future first round draft picks would be the biggest part of the trade for the Clippers to have more hope for the future. Various trades made to contend are still haunting them with few draft picks of their own. Dallas would be forced to lose PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Naji Marshall to make the salaries work.
Why Dallas Mavericks Would Do This Trade
Dallas has shown the desire to contend faster with rookie Cooper Flagg as the face of the franchise. This season featured the goal of having Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving on the court together. Unfortunately, Irving was injured all year and Davis got traded due to being too unreliable.
A trade for Leonard gives them one season with the trio of Kawhi, Kyrie, and Cooper with strong playoff hopes. The Mavericks would risk losing three talented role players, but they’d keep their youth and their two stars while adding another All-NBA player.
Leonard only having one year left on his deal means that Dallas will have the best chance of retaining him or could let him walk if they don’t like the fit. One of the two traded picks belongs to the Lakers and makes that less valuable to the Mavericks for an easier trade.
Why Los Angeles Clippers Would Do This Trade
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer wanted to keep Leonard for the rest of this season due to his great play and the fan base purchasing tickets with expectations to see him all year. However, the offseason makes it a lot easier for the Clippers to move him now.
A younger roster means that the Clippers must start finding ways to get more flexible. Los Angeles would add three role players with contracts expiring soon or being easier to trade in the future to free up more salary space.
The Clippers are currently hoping that young talents, like Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin, will become a major part of the team’s future. Salary cap is the next most important thing since Ballmer is a big spending. This trade gives them a chance to find their next superstar over the next two seasons by ending the Kawhi era.
Mavericks Realistic Trade Package For Kawhi Leonard Revealed