
Kawhi Leonard is entering the final year of his $149.5 million contract with the Clippers, prompting the team to consider re-signing or trading him. The Clippers have also received the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, indicating a potential rebuilding phase.
Mentioned in this story
Kawhi Leonard is entering the final season of the three-year, $149.5 million contract extension he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2024. That means the Clippers need to decide whether to re-sign the two-time NBA champion or trade him this summer and start fresh.
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Leonard has garnered some interest from multiple teams around the NBA, especially the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Clippers just received the No. 5 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft from a lottery pick included a trade deal with the Indiana Pacers.
The Clippers now have a chance to rebuild the franchise around a young core. The franchise showed they are in a rebuilding phase when it traded veterans James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline in February.
NBA insider Tim McMahon said Los Angeles is expected to still try to negotiate a contract extension with Leonard. But there is a good chance he could be traded if the franchise and Leonard fail to come to an agreement.
“We’ll see what happens with Aspiration. Assuming they are allowed to attempt to negotiate an extension, I believe the intention is to try to negotiate an extension with Kawhi Leonard,” McMahon said on “” on YouTube this week.
Kawhi Leonard is in the final season of a three-year, $149.5 million contract extension he signed in January 2024.
Multiple teams, including the Golden State Warriors, have shown interest in trading for Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers traded veterans James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the trade deadline in February, signaling their rebuilding efforts.


Tottenham's 1-1 draw with Leeds leaves them in a relegation fight.

Hull City secures Championship play-off final spot with 2-0 win over Millwall
Phillies trade for Jose Soriano, enhancing their bullpen and Cy Young hopes.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“But ‘negotiate’ is a key word there. It’s not just like, ‘Hey, can you take just a little slight haircut from maxes?’ And so, depending on how that goes, there’s a world where Kawhi could be on the block this summer, too. So, we shall see.”
In addition to the Warriors, Leonard has been connected to other teams like the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Houston Rockets.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The post Clippers Facing Major Decision As Kawhi Leonard Enters Contract Year appeared first on LA Sports Report.