After the Los Angeles Clippers’ season came to an end on Wednesday night, they enter an offseason with plenty of questions to answer. One of those involves Kawhi Leonard’s future with the team, as the forward is yet to sign a new contract with the team.
After arriving in Los Angeles in the summer of 2019, Leonard was expected to take this team to the promised land, just like he did with the Toronto Raptors the prior season. Injuries and a collapse in the bubble prevented the player from showing what he had to offer to this team, and now fans started wondering what is next for him in the league.
As happy as he looked with the Clips, it’s not clear that Kawhi will re-sign with the team and there are at least two teams that could make a run to acquire his services this summer. According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat are ready to make a push for the 2x NBA champion this offseason.
The Mavericks and Heat plan to make a hard push to acquire Leonard, league sources say. The Knicks will also pursue any superstar that becomes available, and a long list of other suitors would at least make an attempt if he hits the market. Who wouldn’t want a 30-year-old two-time Finals MVP still performing at an All-NBA level?
Dallas is considered by some executives to be the most serious threat to land Kawhi because of Luka Doncic’s presence and the front office’s ability to create maximum cap space or work out a sign-and-trade. During Leonard’s years with Nike, he also developed a good relationship with Nico Harrison, the Mavs’ new general manager, and a former longtime executive at the company.
Several people around the league believe Doncic needs another star to take the Mavericks to the next level. Kristaps Porzingis failed at that role this postseason, and rumors suggest he might leave the team soon.
Leonard couldn’t take the Clippers to the promised land with Paul George. Instead, the former Pacer and Thunder took the team’s leadership this postseason, which could lead the Clippers to build around him even if Leonard decides to stay.
Pairing Leonard and Doncic would be a dream for Mark Cuban and the Mavs fan, but time will tell if they can pull off this move. If so, the Mavs would instantly become favorites for the title.
