The Los Angeles Clippers were one of the most fortunate teams on draft night, as they were able to draft Keaton Wagler with the fifth overall pick — striking gold during the lottery by lucking into the Indiana Pacers’ top-four protected 2026 first-round pick that they acquired in the Ivica Zubac trade. At the very least, the Clippers are starting to build towards the future, storm-proofing the roster in case Kawhi Leonard’s stint with the team comes to an end.
In fact, that is a very legitimate possibility for the Clippers to grapple with. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, he expects the Clippers to move on from Leonard if the two sides are unable to come to terms to a contract extension
“If an extension is not worked out…I expect the Clippers look to move Kawhi. I don’t expect that he will stay and play on an expiring deal,” Haynes said on NBA TV.
"If an extension is not worked out…I expect the Clippers look to move Kawhi. I don't expect that he will stay and play on an expiring deal"
Chris Haynes speaks on the future of Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers
(via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/KeNlmnInvX
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Leonard is indeed entering the final year of his contract worth $50.3 million, and he’s coming off one of his best seasons as a member of the Clippers. He put up 28/6/4 last season and even played in 65 games, which allowed him to qualify for an All-NBA honor (he made it to the second team).
There should be plenty of teams out there that should at least kick the tires on a potential Leonard trade pursuit. He’s an esteemed playoff performer, and he can certainly be the missing piece for a team that’s close to winning it all.
The injury risk, however, will always be there, which could depress Leonard’s trade value. With the Clippers still owing a few of their future first-round picks, keeping Leonard and simply having him around to try and bridge from one era to the other may be in their best interest, which would then warrant a contract extension.
The post Chris Haynes drops unfortunate reality of Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers future appeared first on ClutchPoints.
