Kawhi Leonard is a talented basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers. Unfortunately, he’s been dealing with a right knee injury that has kept him out for this season.
Given that he is currently unable to play and may not be able to do so in the upcoming season, there is a possibility that they could rebuild their roster by trading Leonard to the Golden State Warriors.
The Los Angeles Clippers faced a tough blow when Paul George left for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency. On top of that, Kawhi Leonard’s injury situation has added more stress. Without their star duo, the franchise knew it would be challenging to compete in the strong Western Conference.
So, they may decide to rebuild by trading Leonard to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, De’Anthony Melton, Jonathan Kuminga, and a 2026 first-round pick. This bold trade idea came from Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World.
According to the idea, this trade is a big gamble for the Warriors, but it could pay off. If Kawhi Leonard stays healthy, the Warriors will have a team strong enough to compete with anyone.
For the Clippers, the trade helps them save money with Wiggins’ contract. They also get a chance to see if Jonathan Kuminga is a suitable fit for the team. This move will help the Clippers rebuild and focus on growing young players while keeping their finances flexible.
Kawhi Leonard’s injury status
The Los Angeles Clippers gave an update on Kawhi Leonard, who is still recovering from a right knee injury. Head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed Leonard will not play this week, and there is no clear return date yet.
Lue said, “He’s doing all the right things. He’s working hard, and he’s looking good. So, there’s no timetable or nothing like that. Nothing has changed from Day 1. Still working to get him to where we’re trying to get him to.”
Breaking: Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is expected to be sidelined for an indefinite period of time to start the NBA season as he rehabilitates the inflammation in his right knee, sources tell @ShamsCharania and @NotoriousOHM. pic.twitter.com/d9yBevAqis
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2024
Even without Leonard, the Clippers have managed a 5-4 record, with big wins over teams like the Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. Though the stat is quite positive, the team is clearly struggling without him.