NBA Trade Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Linked to 7 Teams This Offseason

Kawhi Leonard proved during the regular season that even at the age of 34, with years and years of injury troubles as baggage, he could still be one of the top players in the NBA. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game for the LA Clippers in 65 games, along with 6.4 boards and 3.6 assists.

Kawhi has one year at $50 million remaining on his contract, but there is a chance it could get voided once the NBA rules on its investigation into the Clippers' alleged cap circumvention scandal. At that point, he'd be fair game for any team.

But let's assume that Leonard is still under contract with the Clips for one more season. In that case, Dan Favale writes in Bleacher Report that no less than seven teams could be in on the former two-time NBA Finals MVP, as follows:

Philadelphia 76ers
Miami Heat
New York Knicks
Minnesota Timberwolves
Phoenix Suns
Detroit Pistons
Portland Trail Blazers

Notably, the Golden State Warriors are not on this list, which seems odd. They were considered one of the favorites to land Kawhi this offseason if the Clippers pulled the trigger on a trade. However, the recent news that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is likely to retire would very likely signal a rebuild in The Bay, putting the kibosh on any plans to trade for Leonard, according to insider Marc Stein.

As for the listed teams above, Sixers head coach Nick Nurse has a history with Kawhi, winning a title with him in Toronto in 2019. That would seem like a good fit—so long as Joel Embiid can stay healthy.

The Heat, Knicks & T-Wolves "could view him as a consolation target if it turns out they don't have the assets to sniff around Giannis Antetokounmpo," writes Favale.

He adds that Phoenix "is considered a hidden-gem destination for NBA players," while "Kawhi could prove to be an ideal target for the Detroit Pistons if their postseason ends in disappointment."

The other team on his list, the Trail Blazers, seems the least likely. But Favale calls them "a dark horse to swing big after making the playoffs." And considering they'll be getting Damian Lillard back next year, along with having blossoming superstar Deni Avdija, adding Kawhi could make them a team to reckon with.