By all accounts, Kawhi Leonard is going to be in a Clippers jersey for a long time.
After stints in San Antonio and Toronto, the 5x All-Star landed in L.A. back in 2019, and there have been no signs of dissatisfaction since.
But after two sub-par seasons with the franchise, Kawhi has opted out of the final year of his deal, opening up the door for rumor and speculation about his future.
Apparently, according to Chris Haynes, Kawhi opting out isn’t just for re-negotiation purposes. While it’s still likely he returns to the Clippers, he’ll be hearing pitches from other teams as well.
“It looks like [Kawhi] is expected to re-sign with the Clippers, but sources informed me that he will listen to other teams.”
"It looks like [Kawhi] is expected to re-sign with the Clippers, but sources informed me that he will listen to other teams."
– Chris Haynes
(via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/1vfARAjtF6
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 2, 2021
Kawhi jumping ship after two seasons would be a nightmare for the Clippers. His arrival was supposed to mark a new era of success for the franchise — so him leaving after two failed seasons would be the ultimate gut-punch.
The real question for Kawhi, however, is where else might he consider going? Fans continue to debate on his next destination, but the Knicks, Mavericks, and Heat seem like the most likely teams to sway him away from the Clips.
As a two-way wing with superstar status, Kawhi has the talent and experience to push any team over the top, and his decision this offseason could have enormous implications for the entire NBA.
Free-agency officially kicks off on August 2nd, at 6 pm Eastern.
