Warriors Reportedly Made 'Determined Trade Run' at Kawhi Leonard Before Deadline

Golden State will likely try to acquire the Clippers star again this offseason.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes in vibrant colors.The Warriors' pursuit of Kawhi Leonard reflects their relentless efforts to build a championship-caliber roster around Stephen Curry.Los Angeles Today

The Golden State Warriors made a determined effort to trade for Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard before the NBA trade deadline, according to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein. While no deal materialized, the Warriors are expected to pursue Leonard again this offseason as they look to build the best possible team around Stephen Curry in the twilight of his career.

Why it matters

Leonard is one of the NBA's elite players when healthy, and adding him to a core of Curry, Draymond Green, and Kristaps Porzingis would give the Warriors an incredibly talented roster. However, Leonard's future is uncertain due to an ongoing investigation into his dealings with the company Aspiration, which could potentially void his current contract and make him a free agent.

The details

The Warriors were reportedly willing to use Jimmy Butler's expiring contract and draft picks to try to acquire Leonard from the Clippers. A Leonard trade would have made more sense for the Warriors than their reported pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the price tag for Antetokounmpo would have been much higher. The Warriors have been extremely aggressive in trying to surround Curry with elite talent, including their successful trade for Porzingis.

  • The Warriors made their 'determined trade run' at Leonard before the 2026 NBA trade deadline.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who is under investigation for his dealings with the company Aspiration, which could impact his contract status.

Stephen Curry

The superstar point guard for the Golden State Warriors who the team is trying to surround with elite talent as his career winds down.

Draymond Green

The veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who would be part of a talented core alongside Curry and potentially Leonard.

Kristaps Porzingis

The skilled big man acquired by the Warriors in a trade, who they hope to re-sign in free agency.

Jimmy Butler

The veteran wing player whose expiring contract the Warriors were reportedly willing to use as matching salary in a potential trade for Leonard.

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What they’re saying

“The Warriors made a 'determined trade run' at Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, the veteran insider reported Sunday, amid one of the best seasons of his career.”

— Marc Stein, Veteran NBA Insider

What’s next

The Warriors will likely resume their pursuit of Kawhi Leonard this offseason, though his future remains uncertain due to the investigation into his dealings with Aspiration. The Clippers may also look to move Leonard as part of a mini-rebuild, making him an attractive trade target for the Warriors if his contract situation is resolved.

The takeaway

The Warriors' aggressive pursuit of elite talent to pair with Stephen Curry underscores their determination to maximize the remainder of Curry's prime. While the Leonard trade did not materialize, the Warriors have shown they are willing to take bold steps to build a championship-caliber roster around their superstar point guard.