Kawhi Leonard predicted to be traded in the near future

The Los Angeles Clippers’ future is hazier than ever before. With Paul George’s departure turning the team’s once-feared big 3 into an unreliable duo, the Clippers head to the new season with questions begging to be answered.

With this in mind, some experts predict that it won’t be long before the team’s decision-makers make a deal to turn their fortunes around. And what better way to recoup assets than by trading away their biggest superstar – Kawhi Leonard.

From contenders to pretenders

That’s right, the same player who was once seen as the savior of the Clippers franchise may soon be on his way out. Although the team still has a solid roster bolstered by veteran role players such as Nicolas Batum and Derrick Jones Jr., the reality is this roster as presently constructed, simply does not have enough to keep in step with legitimate contenders like the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“Allowing Paul George to walk in the face of second-apron concerns that don't make much sense relative to what we know they offered him is confusing as hell. This team's present and future is much shakier as a result,” Dan Favale wrote in an article dubbed “Overreactions to the 2024 NBA Offseason.”

“Having James Harden and Kawhi Leonard on the roster to open the Intuit Dome is an organizational marketing must. But for how much longer will the Clippers pretend they're inside the inner circle of contenders? Or even a guaranteed playoff squad?” Favale continued.

Will the Clippers pull the trigger?

On paper, the tandem of “The Beard” and “The Claw” looks formidable. But when one looks past the luster and the shine of their All-Star appearances and other individual accolades, they’ll uncover two players who have proven unreliable when the stakes are at their highest.

“Harden is entering his age-35 season, has a ton of miles on his treads and has racked up more new teams since 2021 (four) than playoff series wins (three). Leonard is heading into his age-33 campaign, and while he churned out an All-NBA performance last year, he yet again finished the season on the sidelines,” Favale shared.

Should the Clippers get off to a slow start or even implode at some point this season, it would be best for the team to part ways with their two-way superstar while they still can. While Leonard has proven to be a game-changer, his health and availability are major concerns that won’t do the Clippers any favors.

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