Mavericks and Raptors among teams courting Kawhi Leonard as trade talks continue
The Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors are reported to be exploring trade options for Kawhi Leonard, with any deal likely requiring him to sign a new contract extension.
Kawhi Leonard, 35, is entering the final year of his three-year extension with the Los Angeles Clippers, which pays $50.3 million for the 2024-25 season. As the NBA free-agency period opens on June 30 and the league’s moratorium ends on July 6, several clubs are reportedly evaluating a trade that would move Leonard’s salary, which is over the Clippers’ salary-cap limit.
The Dallas Mavericks have shown interest, according to reports from The Athletic. Their proposed package is said to include guard Klay Thompson, forward P.J. Washington and multiple draft picks. A trade would reunite Leonard with Masai Ujiri, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations, who previously acquired Leonard for the Toronto Raptors in 2018.
Toronto also remains a potential destination. Reporter Jake Fischer says Leonard is willing to sign an extension with the Raptors, though the feasibility of a deal may depend on the Clippers’ acceptance of the players Toronto wishes to send. The Raptors are reportedly favoring the inclusion of forward Brandon Ingram over guard RJ Barrett in any exchange.
The Detroit Pistons have been mentioned as a possible landing spot, but Leonard is not interested in joining the team, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has therefore shifted focus to other offseason targets.