Report: Warriors Made A Run At Kawhi Leonard

The Golden State Warriors' endless search for another superstar once again came up short this offseason. LeBron James decided to take his talents to the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Warriors and other suitors in the lurch.

The chase to try to land another big-time partner for Steph Curry, after Jimmy Butler went down for the season with a torn ACL, also took them to a longtime nemesis, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. 

"The Warriors did make a push for Kawhi at the February trade deadline. Their pitch revolved around two 1st-round picks. However, the Clippers refused to move Leonard at that time," per @BrettSiegelNBA. pic.twitter.com/PBaqPuiikA

— Kalshi Hoops (@KalshiHoops) July 31, 2026

The Warriors did make a late push for Kawhi after missing out on Giannis at the deadline, the LA Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer refused to move Leonard at that time. Sources told ClutchPoints that Golden State put together a pitch revolving around two first-round picks, one of which would've been protected. 

This offseason, the Warriors knew that there was no path to pursuing a Leonard trade since the two-time Finals MVP made it known where he would sign an extension and since the Clippers did not hold interest in taking on an injured Jimmy Butler unless they were to receive more compensation.

Of course, Kawhi was a Warriors-killer in the 2019 NBA Finals with the Toronto Raptors, and he has since been tentatively traded there again by the Clippers, while the teams await the results of the NBA's investigation into the Clips' alleged cap circumvention antics. And Toronto was the only place that Leonard wanted to sign an extension with, as we learned earlier this offseason. 

The Warriors still have some roster spots to fill. Safe to say, the free agents they're looking at now will not be as impactful as LeBron (or a trade for Kawhi) would have been.

"With about an $8 million buffer between their current payroll and the second apron, the Warriors have three open roster spots left. Sources say Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Williams, Gabe Vincent, and Gary Payton II are all players in consideration for a minimum deal from the Warriors," Siegel noted.