One NBA writer is proposing that the Miami Heat acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade. Tyler Watts of Fansided’s “Clipperholics” proposed that the Heat trade Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, two first-round picks and two pick swaps to the Clippers for Leonard, Marcus Morris and Bones Hyland.
“The Miami Heat are always chasing the next available star,” Watts wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Damian Lillard has requested a trade and made it clear he wants to be in Miami, but there has been no traction on a deal. The Heat are limited in what they can offer, and the Blazers have no interest in Tyler Herro with three young guards already on their roster.
“There is no pressure to make a deal right now, but if things do not move forward as training camp approaches, both sides may have to move on. Miami will be looking for the next available superstar, and they would love to add Kawhi Leonard.”
Leonard has a player option for the 2024-25 season worth $48.8 million. The two-time NBA Finals MVP underwent surgery on his right knee after suffering a torn meniscus during the 2023 playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Miami Heat & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
A future Hall of Famer, Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in Games 1 and 2 of the first round against the Suns before missing the rest of the series with his knee injury. The two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers in August 2021. He missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from an ACL injury.
Leonard appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. The Clippers signed Leonard in the summer of 2019 and traded for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals yet. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates.
Leonard has played in 161 games with the Clippers. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists. NBA writer Law Murray, who covers the Clippers for The Athletic, wrote about how Leonard has never signed an extension in the NBA. The star swingman has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Miami Heat & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Leonard and the Clippers are in no rush to get an extension done, according to NBA insider Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN. The odds of LAC trading Leonard are very, very low. However, crazier things have happened in the NBA, so never say never.
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