Warriors Came Close to Acquiring Kawhi Leonard Before Clippers Backed Out

New details emerge about Golden State's failed attempt to trade for the Clippers star last season.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:42pm

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According to multiple league sources, the Golden State Warriors were close to trading for Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard last February, with most of the deal terms agreed upon, before the Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the talks. The potential trade comes as the Clippers are currently under investigation by the NBA for allegedly attempting to circumvent the league's salary cap by funneling millions to Leonard through a now-bankrupt company.

Why it matters

The Warriors have struggled with injuries and inconsistent play this season, and the potential acquisition of a star like Leonard could have significantly bolstered their roster and chances of returning to championship contention. The outcome of the NBA's investigation into the Clippers' alleged salary cap circumvention could also have major implications, potentially opening the door for Golden State to pursue Leonard again.

The details

According to reports, the Warriors and Clippers had made significant progress in trade negotiations for Kawhi Leonard last February, with most of the deal terms generally agreed upon, before the Clippers ultimately decided to back out of the talks. The potential trade comes as the Clippers are currently under investigation by the NBA for allegedly attempting to circumvent the league's salary cap by funneling millions to Leonard through a now-bankrupt company.

  • The trade talks between the Warriors and Clippers for Kawhi Leonard took place last February.
  • The NBA is currently investigating the Clippers for alleged salary cap circumvention involving Leonard.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A 34-year-old small forward/shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, Leonard is a five-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion.

Golden State Warriors

The professional basketball team based in San Francisco, California, who have won 4 NBA championships in the last 8 seasons.

Los Angeles Clippers

The professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, who are currently under investigation by the NBA for alleged salary cap circumvention.

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What they’re saying

“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, Reporter

What’s next

The outcome of the NBA's investigation into the Clippers' alleged salary cap circumvention could have major implications, potentially opening the door for the Warriors to pursue Kawhi Leonard again.

The takeaway

The Warriors' failed attempt to acquire Kawhi Leonard last season highlights their ongoing struggles to build a championship-caliber roster, and the potential consequences of the Clippers' alleged salary cap violations could provide Golden State with another opportunity to land the star forward.