The Los Angeles Clippers looked like they were going to miss the playoffs and be one of the worst teams in the NBA at the start of the year. After starting 6-21, the Clippers looked like they were going to be in contention for the first pick.
Had that happened, the Oklahoma City Thunder would have gotten another top pick. LA owes its pick to OKC. Instead, Los Angeles turned everything around and is the ninth seed in the Western Conference. Most of that is due to the play of Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard has had the best season of his career. He has a shot to make first-team All-NBA. Now, there is a chance that the Clippers will lose Leonard in the offseason.
The Clippers Could Lose Kawhi Leonard This Summer
GettyLos Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard walks onto the court for warmups. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, Leonard could be a candidate to change teams this offseason. Stein notes that “there is a growing anticipation in numerous front offices” that Leonard could end up with a new team next season.
Leonard is still embroiled in the Aspiration scandal. Now that the regular season is over, a resolution to the investigation into the Clippers could be reached soon. The results of the investigation will likely not be made public until the Clippers are eliminated.
That could happen as soon as Wednesday when they take on the Warriors. Because of the penalties that could be levied, there’s a shot that the Clippers are forced to move on from Leonard. He was their best player this year, but they have already started a rebuild.
Los Angeles decided to trade James Harden and Ivica Zubac. In return, they added Bennedict Mathurin and Darius Garland as the key pieces. There is a shot they earn a top-10 pick from the Pacers if the lottery goes their way, as well.
Kawhi Leonard Could have a New Team Next Season
GettyLos Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shoots the ball. (Photo by Don Collier/Getty Images)
As far as where Leonard could end up next season, Stein doesn’t give any potential new teams. Leonard is still clearly a great player, as long as he can stay healthy. This season, Leonard played in 65 games, which is the second-highest total since his last season in San Antonio.
Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He also averaged 1.9 steals per game. This is the greatest scoring season of his career thus far, and a title-contending team could try to trade for him. It’s unlikely that the Clippers would be forced to void his contract due to the Aspiration ruling.
If Los Angeles does move on from Leonard, they will be building around Garland and Mathurin. They have some other interesting pieces, but they need to get younger across the board. Any trade involving Leonard will have that in mind, as they would be looking to get young pieces and draft picks in return.
Los Angeles Clippers in Danger of Losing Kawhi Leonard: Report