The Kawhi Leonard saga keeps escalating, and with each new “Pablo Torre Finds Out” report, the likelihood of the NBA penalizing the Los Angeles Clippers grows.
One of the potential consequences for salary cap circumvention is voiding Leonard’s contract, so if that happens, where might the superstar land?
3 Kawhi Leonard Destinations if He Becomes a Free Agent
As the 2025-26 NBA season nears, the biggest headline revolves around Leonard. Investigative journalist Pablo Torre has revealed substantial evidence suggesting that the Clippers allegedly orchestrated a multimillion-dollar no-show endorsement deal with the now-defunct and reportedly fraudulent company Aspiration, which would have allowed Leonard to receive more money than the NBA salary cap allows.
This is a major violation in professional sports, and if the NBA rules against the Clippers, the penalties could include fines, loss of draft picks, and potentially voiding Leonard’s contract. The last time a team faced a similar situation, this was precisely the punishment.
In 1999, commissioner David Stern found the Minnesota Timberwolves guilty of circumventing the salary cap to sign Joe Smith, resulting in a $3.5 million fine, the loss of five first-round draft picks, and the voiding of the deal.
So, if Leonard unexpectedly becomes a free agent before the new season, he would likely have to accept some form of veteran minimum or mid-level exception (MLE) to join a contender. Here’s a look at where he could go and what each team could offer.
Los Angeles Lakers
When Leonard last hit free agency in 2021, reports indicated his final choices were either returning to the Toronto Raptors, fresh off a championship, or joining the Lakers or Clippers in LA.
Returning to “The Great White North” doesn’t make much sense in 2025, given the state of the Raptors, but pairing with LeBron James and Luka Doncic at Staples Center is an appealing option.
The challenge is that the Lakers used their MLE to sign Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia this offseason, leaving only the bi-annual exception of $5.1 million for 2025-26. Since they’re currently hard-capped after using the MLE, the Lakers would need to clear $4 million in salary just to use that $5.1 million for Leonard.
Despite the logistical hurdles, staying in LA would likely be the simplest personal option for Leonard if he hits free agency.
Golden State Warriors
A lineup featuring Leonard, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Jonathan Kuminga would be a formidable championship contender next season. The main complication involves Kuminga’s contract.
If Kuminga signs his $7.9 million restricted free agent qualifying offer, the Warriors would only need the non-taxpayer MLE, which is $14.1 million next season, to sign Leonard.
This appears to be the best overall scenario for Leonard if his current situation were to collapse. He remains in his home state, earns near the maximum possible, and gains a legitimate chance at a title.
Miami Heat
Whenever a top-tier free agent becomes available, Pat Riley and the Miami Heat are typically in the mix.
Financially, the Heat have a real opportunity to offer Leonard the $14.1 million non-taxpayer MLE. They would need to clear approximately $7 million in cap space, which could be achieved by trading Terry Rozier or Simone Fontecchio.
The key question: would a starting five of Leonard, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Andrew Wiggins, and Kel’el Ware or Davion Mitchell be a true championship contender? In an Eastern Conference potentially missing stars like Tyrese Haliburton or Jayson Tatum, the answer might be, “yes.”
