3 Blockbuster Kawhi Leonard Trades as Clippers Slump to 18th Loss

The Kawhi Leonard trade chatter might heat up after the LA Clippers fell to 6-18 following Saturday's 109-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Clippers blew an 18-point lead in what could have been a momentum-altering wing. Leonard finished with 20 points on 47.1% shooting.

It wasn't his flashiest game, but over the past two weeks, it's the healthiest Leonard has looked. With the Clippers seemingly headed nowhere and projected to finish in the lottery places without a first-round pick in 2026, the ideal thing would be to move on.

It's unlikely they receive a first-round selection for Leonard, who would presumably have negative trade value due to his injury history. Nevertheless, the Clippers can still get decent value in return, given his recent play.

Some teams might take a gamble at it, hoping to make a desperation move and see if it works out. We explore three blockbuster trades for Leonard that could make sense.

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3 Blockbuster Kawhi Leonard Trades

#3 Kawhi Leonard to Chicago Bulls

The Bulls started the season hot, winning six of their first seven games. Since then, they have been 3-6. They need a bona fide veteran star presence to make a playoff push. According to NBA insider Jake Weinbach, Chicago is expected to be a buyer as it's still in the running to make the postseason.

Jake Weinbach

@JWeinbachNBA

The Bulls are expected to become buyers on the trade market to intensify a playoff push this season. Chicago, in the midst of a six-game losing streak, is allowing 122.5 PPG to opponents (26th in the NBA), and should be scouring the market for defensive-minded reinforcements.

Anthony Davis has been one of the popular names linked with his hometown franchise. However, the Mavericks might hold off on that move after their improved play over the last five games.

In the meantime, the Bulls can potentially eye Kawhi Leonard. According to insider Tim Bontemps, the Clippers are open to entertaining trade ideas for the two-time NBA champion. LA can engage the desperate Bulls in a trade for Leonard with an enticing package.

Here's the trade framework:

Bulls get

• Kawhi Leonard
• Kobe Brown

Clippers get

• Patrick Williams
• Kevin Huerter
• Coby White

The Clippers get two expiring contracts with Huerter and White. They can extend White, 25, while letting Huerter walk in free agency and freeing up their books. Williams can be a long-term fit. He's on a team-friendly deal earning $18.0 million this year and $54 million over the next three.

#2 Kawhi Leonard to Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are another team looking to elevate their chances in the Eastern Conference. They are ninth with a 14-11 record, while All-Star Trae Young has played only five games. A high-risk, high-reward move by pursuing Kawhi Leonard can do wonders for the team.

The Hawks also have the kind of return the Clippers might reportedly want with expiring contracts, which opens up their cap space next year.

Here's the trade framework:

Hawks get

• Kawhi Leonard

Clippers get

• Kristaps Porzingis
• Luke Kennard
• 2030 second-round pick

Porzingis and Kennard are on expiring contracts, freeing up max salary space for the Clippers in 2026. A second-round pick going LA's way would likely be the scenario if the Hawks propose this deal.

#1 Kawhi Leonard to Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant has long been rumored to be a trade candidate this season. The Grizzlies star has regressed each year, and there aren't many takers for him. A franchise like the LA Clippers could be an outlier. They don't have draft capital or any other young stars to build around.

Morant, 25, can be a decent option, especially if the Clippers can get off of Kawhi Leonard's contract for the former No. 2 pick. From the Grizzlies' perspective, they get a proven playoff star with a talented young roster around him. Adding Leonard could help them stay over .500 and potentially even make a push for the top-six seed.

Here's the proposed trade framework:

Grizzlies get

• Kawhi Leonard
• Kobe Brown

Clippers get

• Ja Morant
• Brandon Clarke

Morant has two years left on his deal beyond this season, while Clarke has one more year after this. LA will have cap space in 2027 when James Harden's contract is off their books, allowing them to surround Morant with a solid supporting cast.