After the Los Angeles Clippers parted ways with James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline, many experts took it as a sign that the franchise was on the verge of a major reshuffling. As a 34-year-old who has been routinely unavailable for his team, it’s only natural to assume Kawhi Leonard is expendable, but that may not be the case.
Even with an active cap-circumvention investigation looming, the Clippers don’t want to trade Kawhi. Similarly, Leonard wants to remain with the Clippers, despite all the recent changes. In fact, as it was recently reported, not even a chance to compete with the top-seeded Pistons is enough to sway Leonard’s preferences.
“I don’t think they’re gonna void his [Kawhi’s] contract. Steve Ballmer doesn’t want to trade him,” said Zach Harper on FanDuel TV. “He doesn’t want to play in Detroit; he wants to be in LA. That’s where Kawhi wants to be, plain and simple.”
It’s no secret that the Pistons (among other teams) are looking to improve the roster, but they’ll have to look elsewhere if they want Leonard. With just one year and $50 million on his contract, he can be a free agent as early as next summer, meaning any team that trades for him would risk him leaving after one season. Even for someone who averaged 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season, it’s not a gamble most teams are willing to make.
So, with the Clippers likely to keep Kawhi, they can continue building around him for the upcoming season. Darius Garland is already filling the point guard spot, and the latest intel suggests they could look toward veteran swingman DeMar DeRozan to add depth on the wing.
“In the midst of a rebuild and over the first apron, barring an unexpected trade, the Sacramento Kings are expected to waive-and-stretch forward DeMar DeRozan,” reported HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. “DeRozan’s $25.74 million expiring contract is only guaranteed for $10 million, which can be stretched over the next three seasons. Should DeRozan enter free agency as expected, the Los Angeles Clippers are expected to have interest in the California native, HoopsHype has learned.”
The Clippers should have been competitive in 2025-26, but they failed to make it past the play-in after finishing ninth in the West (42-40). Going into next season, the Clippers won’t be the favorites, but they can certainly make some noise if they play their cards right. DeRozan, while not the most lucrative addition, makes a nice fit as an affordable veteran option. At 36, he’s no longer in his prime, but he showed he can still contribute with averages of 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 49.7% shooting and 32.0% shooting from three this season.
Only time will tell what moves the Clippers pull off this summer, but we shouldn’t expect complacency. Team owner Steve Ballmer isn’t ready for a rebuild, and he’s empowering his front office to take the necessary steps to improve their title odds.
Whether that’s a DeRozan signing or something else entirely remains to be seen, but they have plenty of assets to work with this summer to try some major adjustments. As it stands, the biggest threat is what will happen with the NBA’s cap-circumvention investigation, which could void Leonard’s contract entirely.
