Clippers Weigh Kawhi Leonard's Future Amid Trade Buzz

Kawhi Leonard's situation with the Clippers mirrors his 2018 Spurs-to-Raptors trade.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:39pm

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The Los Angeles Clippers are facing growing speculation around Kawhi Leonard's future with the team, as the star forward enters the final year of his contract. The situation echoes the circumstances that led to Leonard's blockbuster trade from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors in 2018. The Clippers made several moves at the trade deadline to reshape their roster around Leonard, but the team may ultimately decide it's in their best long-term interest to explore trading the 34-year-old this offseason.

Why it matters

Kawhi Leonard's potential departure would be a major shakeup for the Clippers, who have built their team around the star forward. The Spurs-Raptors trade in 2018 reshaped the NBA landscape, and a similar move involving Leonard could have significant implications for the league.

The details

The Clippers made several moves at the trade deadline, including trading Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and draft picks. They also dealt James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland, signaling a broader shift in their roster construction. With Leonard potentially entering the final year of his deal, the Clippers must weigh whether trading him this offseason aligns with their long-term outlook.

  • Kawhi Leonard is averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game across 41 appearances this season.
  • The Clippers are currently 26-28 and sit 10th in the Western Conference.

The players

Kawhi Leonard

A 34-year-old star forward for the Los Angeles Clippers who is entering the final year of his contract.

Ivica Zubac

A center who was traded by the Clippers to the Indiana Pacers.

Kobe Brown

A player who was traded by the Clippers to the Indiana Pacers.

Bennedict Mathurin

A player acquired by the Clippers from the Indiana Pacers.

Isaiah Jackson

A player acquired by the Clippers from the Indiana Pacers.

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What they’re saying

“I think if he's still on the Clippers roster heading into the summer and his contract is not voided. He's going to be in the final year of his deal. I believe it's like $50.3 million dollars and regardless of how old he is, as long as he's healthy, it's going to be viewed like another scenario of when the Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors. Final year of his contract. He could still be a big piece of a championship team.”

— Brett Siegel, ClutchPoints NBA insider

What’s next

The Clippers will need to decide whether to trade Kawhi Leonard this offseason or keep him for the final year of his contract.

The takeaway

The Clippers' situation with Kawhi Leonard mirrors the Spurs' trade of the star to the Raptors in 2018, which reshaped the NBA landscape. The Clippers must weigh their long-term outlook and whether trading Leonard this offseason is the best path forward.