Warriors Aim to Land Kawhi Leonard in Offseason

Golden State's near-trade for Kawhi signals urgency to maximize Stephen Curry's championship window.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:39am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like royal blue, golden yellow, and crimson red, conceptually representing the Warriors' desperation to add another superstar to their roster.The Warriors' pursuit of Kawhi Leonard signals their urgency to maximize Stephen Curry's championship window before it closes.Los Angeles Today

The Golden State Warriors came close to acquiring Kawhi Leonard at the NBA trade deadline, signaling their offseason priority is to land another superstar to pair with Stephen Curry. With Curry turning 38 and having just one guaranteed year left on his contract, the Warriors are in urgency mode to maximize their championship window before it closes. The potential voiding of Leonard's contract with the Clippers could open the door for the Warriors to sign him as an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Why it matters

The Warriors' near-miss trade for Kawhi Leonard shows their desperation to add another elite player alongside Stephen Curry, whose championship window is narrowing due to his age. Acquiring Leonard could shift the balance of power in the NBA and give the Warriors their best chance at one more title run with Curry as the centerpiece.

The details

According to reports, the Warriors and Clippers had generally agreed on the framework of a Kawhi Leonard trade at the deadline before the Clippers backed out. This signals the Warriors' clear intent to make an aggressive push for Leonard this offseason. With Curry turning 38 and having just one guaranteed year left on his deal, the Warriors are in urgency mode to maximize their championship window. Their current roster hasn't consistently looked like a title threat, and the season-ending injury to Jimmy Butler has only reinforced the need for another elite option.

  • Stephen Curry turned 38 in March 2026.
  • Curry has just one guaranteed year left on his contract after this season.

The players

Stephen Curry

The Warriors' franchise cornerstone and a future Hall of Famer who is nearing the end of his championship window.

Kawhi Leonard

A superstar forward who the Warriors nearly traded for at the deadline and could pursue as an unrestricted free agent if his Clippers contract is voided.

Jimmy Butler

The Warriors' star player who suffered a season-ending ACL tear, further highlighting the need for another elite option.

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What’s next

If Kawhi Leonard's contract with the Clippers is voided by the NBA, he would become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, putting the Warriors at the front of the line to sign him.

The takeaway

The Warriors' near-trade for Kawhi Leonard and their urgency to maximize Stephen Curry's championship window highlight the franchise's desperation to add another superstar to their roster. Acquiring Leonard could give the Warriors their best chance at one more title run with Curry as the centerpiece.