Despite having three All-Stars in the 2024-2025 NBA season (Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Darius Garland), the Cleveland Cavaliers came up well short of winning the NBA Finals.
Running it back with this trio along with star center Jarrett Allen and solid depth feels like the most likely outcome for next season, especially when considering they held the top record in the Eastern Conference at 64-18. However, sometimes major and unexpected changes are necessary to get over the hump and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Although reuniting with LeBron James would be quite a complicated process, another Los Angeles superstar offers just as many risks in another department.
Will the Los Angeles Clippers Part With Kawhi Leonard by the Trade Deadline?
The Los Angeles Clippers have the oldest roster in the league, which can go one of two ways. Either the veterans rise to the occasion while remaining healthy, or injuries derail the season, pulling them far from title contention.
The latter is the circumstance where All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard would be available for trade at February’s deadline. In an unlikely world, L.A.’s front office could determine it’s not worth seeing a team led by Leonard, James Harden, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul in the postseason.
PFSN’s Brandon Austin predicts Leonard could land with the Cavaliers, where he would form an elite defensive duo with Mobley.
“Leonard is one of the more polarizing superstars of his generation due to his availability or lack thereof,” Austin wrote. “He hasn’t played more than 68 games in a season since 2016, missing time due to injuries and load management. However, he’s been elite when on the floor.”
Leonard would make the Cavaliers an even greater threat in the Eastern Conference if he’s able to remain healthy. This is why the two-time NBA champion comes with just as many risks as someone like James, despite having an extra season on his deal.
“Leonard is in the second year of his three-year, $149.5 million contract, and he’ll carry a $50 million cap hit in 2025. A contract of that size can cause a strain for a team operating above the luxury tax line. Los Angeles has legitimate championship aspirations, but if things go awry, the front office could pivot to relieve financial pressure and recoup valuable long-term assets,” Austin concluded.
Odds are the Clippers would heavily desire Garland in a return for the 34-year-old L.A. native. This is because Garland greatly helps restart their timeline, as he’s a 25-year-old who has already averaged more than 20 points three times in his career. It’s also worth noting that Beal, Paul, and Brook Lopez are on short-term deals, meaning the organization will not have a veteran-led lineup for long.
For the Cavaliers, replacing Garland with Leonard is a bit worrying because it would leave a void at Cleveland’s point guard position with only Lonzo Ball, Craig Porter Jr., and Tyrese Proctor to fill it.
Patience is the key to this blockbuster for both parties, as injuries could encourage the Clippers to cut ties with Leonard while the Cavaliers could grow tired of Garland’s inconsistent play.
