After getting some great news on Sunday regarding the 2026 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers are gearing up to make the fifth-overall pick next month.
While that’s a positive development for the franchise, after a rather disappointing season, the Clippers have several directions they could go and feel good about. But first, the team has to figure out what’s next for Kawhi Leonard.
Heading into the 2025-2026 season, all signs were pointing to Leonard’s time being up soon. The 2026-2027 season will be the final year of his $149.5 million contract. There was a thought that the Clippers could let the deal run out, and both parties could move on.
However, ESPN’s Tim McMahon recently suggested that extension talks could take place soon. And since one getting done is far from a guarantee at this point, there is a real chance the Clippers could look to move Kawhi in the offseason.
The Post-Draft Lottery Kawhi Leonard Noise
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during a game against the Golden State Warriors at Intuit Dome on January 05, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
“We’ll see what happens with Aspiration. Assuming they are allowed to attempt to negotiate an extension, I believe the intention is to try to negotiate an extension with Kawhi Leonard,” McMahon said on The Hoop Collective this week.
“But ‘negotiate’ is a key word there. It’s not just like, ‘Hey, can you take just a little slight haircut from maxes?’ And so, depending on how that goes, there’s a world where Kawhi could be on the block this summer, too. So, we shall see.”
As the 2026 trade deadline approached back in February, the Clippers took an unexpected direction. The team cut ties with James Harden.
There wasn’t a hard reset, though. Although Leonard had interested suitors, the Clippers ultimately made it clear that the star forward wasn’t going anywhere at the time. LA was bouncing back after a rough start to the season, and the Clippers wanted to see it through.
Leonard and the Clippers made the Play-In Tournament, but they dropped the opportunity to battle for the eighth seed. Keeping Kawhi–who turns 35 on June 29–doesn’t seem like a sure thing.
This offseason will be the time for another contender to take a gamble on Leonard. The $50.3 million salary is high, but there isn’t a long-term commitment attached. Of course, there is baggage. Between the Aspiration scandal and Leonard’s long history of injuries, red flags heighten the stakes of the gamble.
At the same time, Leonard carries one of the top resumes in the game. He has multiple All-Defensive and All-NBA nods. Leonard is a seven-time All-Star and a two-time champion with Finals MVP honors in both of those runs.
The Clippers aren’t actively pursuing a Kawhi trade, but the fifth pick certainly gives LA a reason to think about firing up a new era.