The Golden State Warriors will pursue a Kawhi Leonard trade this offseason, veteran Warriors star Draymond Green has hinted.
On the latest episode of the “Draymond Green Show” podcast, Green felt that the Clippers landing the No. 5 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft (via the Indiana Pacers) only bolsters Golden State’s chances of landing the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
“You talk about the Golden State Warriors, who have won championships, you have to look at the Los Angeles Clippers in the fifth spot and say: ‘Huh, what are they gonna do?'” Green pondered.
“Are they gonna to draft the fifth pick and put him next to Kawhi Leonard, or are they going to move Kawhi Leonard, try to get more draft assets, and start a rebuild?”
Green felt that if the Clippers land a perennial All-Star with the No. 5 overall pick — a realistic scenario given the depth of this draft class — the Pacers will live to regret it.
“I will say, tough luck, man,” Green said. “The [Pacers] did get their starting center [in Ivica Zubac], but if that comes at the heels of a perennial All-Star, this could be viewed as top 5 worst trades ever.”
Warriors Trade Target: Kawhi Leonard
It’s no secret that the Warriors will pursue superstar players like Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James this offseason in their attempt to give Stephen Curry another shot at competing for a fifth NBA title.
“…Multiple league sources indicated this week that the Warriors were reasonably close to trading for Kawhi Leonard last February — apparently with much of the deal terms generally agreed to — before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks,” Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard wrote earlier this month.
“…Leonard’s name continues to be connected to possible Warriors moves — either in continuing trade talks or, as many around the league are speculating, if Leonard’s remaining contract with the Clippers is voided after the investigation into salary-cap circumvention.”
Potential Warriors Trade Package
ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks recently floated a potential Warriors trade package that will land Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers.
Warriors would receive: Kawhi Leonard
Clippers would receive: Jimmy Butler III, 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected), 2032 first-round pick
“The Warriors have been connected more to Leonard than any other team in recent months, and for good reason,” wrote Marks. “After Butler tore his ACL in January, the Warriors need a Plan B if they want to try to reopen their competitive window while 38-year-old Stephen Curry is still playing at an All-Star level.
“Leonard would be a strong fit as a Butler replacement, with even higher upside after the best regular season of his career. The salaries of the two stars match well enough that no other player would need to be included in this deal.”
As Mark highlighted, Butler is expected to miss most of the 2026-27 season while rehabbing from ACL surgery. Since both Butler ($56.8M) and Leonard ($50.3M) are on expiring contracts, a potential deal could be a risk-free proposition for both the Warriors and Clippers. Ultimately, a trade could hinge on the draft assets the Warriors can send out to the rebuilding Clippers.
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