The Golden State Warriors have made their offseason intentions clear. Steve Kerr is back on a two-year deal. The front office has signaled an aggressive approach to reshaping the roster around Stephen Curry. Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery confirmed Golden State will pick 11th, giving them a tradeable asset to work with as they pursue their next move.
That move, according to the latest reporting, could involve one of the most talented two-way wings in the league.
Warriors Linked to Kawhi Leonard After Lottery Results
GettyLos Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard is receiving trade interest from the Golden State Warriors.
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, league sources expect the Warriors to be aggressive in pursuing a star player via trade this summer. Golden State previously made a run at Kawhi Leonard ahead of the February trade deadline. The Los Angeles Clippers declined to engage at that point.
The lottery results may have changed that calculation. Los Angeles landed the No. 5 overall pick on Sunday after Indiana‘s protected pick conveyed following a painful tanking season for the Pacers. The Clippers, who have been trending younger through deadline moves that brought in Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin, now have a clearer path to accelerating a rebuild. Leonard, at 34 years old, may no longer fit that timeline.
Why Leonard Makes Sense for Golden State
GettyHead coach Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors hug during the final moments of an NBA play-in tournament game against the Phoenix Suns.
The case for pursuing Leonard is straightforward. He is coming off one of the strongest seasons of his career, averaging 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting from the field and 38.7% from three across 65 games. He also added 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Pairing Leonard with Curry gives Golden State a legitimate two-man foundation for a title push. Leonard’s ability to defend multiple positions, create his own shot, and perform in high-stakes moments addresses exactly what this roster has been missing. The Warriors already tried to get him at the deadline. The appetite is clearly there.
The financial side also has a natural fit. Leonard’s contract salary aligns with Jimmy Butler‘s, which could make a swap workable on paper. Butler is out for at least the first half of next season with an injury, and his uncertain recovery timeline has been one of the more complicated variables in Golden State’s offseason planning.
What the Clippers’ New Reality Means
Los Angeles is likely no longer operating as a contender. The roster moves at the deadline signaled a shift, and landing the fifth pick reinforces that direction. Garland is 26. Mathurin is 23. The pieces of a younger core are taking shape. Moving Leonard to a win-now team like the Warriors would give the Clippers additional draft capital to accelerate that rebuild.
O’Connor noted that the Warriors’ No. 11 pick could also be part of any conversation, and Golden State’s willingness to include future assets alongside Butler would make their offer more compelling.
Final Word for the Warriors
Curry is 38. The window is not closed but it is narrowing. Leonard at his best is one of the few players who could make Golden State a genuine title contender again.
The Clippers now have reason to listen. The Warriors have reason to call.
The pieces are in place.
Warriors Linked to Former 2-Time DPOY After NBA Draft Lottery