Two factors emerged in 2025-26 that made Los Angeles Lakers fans view Kawhi Leonard as a prime trade candidate. First off, the Aspiration scandal that rocked the Clippers (and the entire NBA) made a Leonard exit seem feasible. Secondly, Leonard had a spectacular season, looking like vintage Kawhi as he scored 27.9 points per game for the Clips on 50.5/ 38.7/ 89.2 shooting splits in 65 games played.
But following the Clippers' loss in the Play-In on Wednesday night (which ended their season), Kawhi said some things that discouraged any Lakers fans hoping that Leonard might switch LA teams this summer.
Kawhi Leonard just suggested that he's staying with the Clippers
During the postgame presser, Kawhi suggested that he sees himself with the Clippers moving forward, and that he's not stressing about the Aspiration investigation. It was the sound of a superstar fully committed to remaining with his current organization, regardless of what goes down with the investigation.
Leonard, 34, has one more year remaining on his deal with the Clippers. He's set to make $50.3 million in 2026-27 before entering unrestricted free agency next summer.
Leonard was among the three players mentioned by NBA insider Marc Stein (alongside LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo) in a recent report surmising that all three of those guys could be on new teams in 2026-27. It'd be interesting to hear if Stein's stance on Leonard will change following Kawhi's comments on Wednesday night.
A Kawhi trade was always going to be difficult for Lakers, anyway
Even if Kawhi were highly available this summer, a trade to the Lakers still wouldn't be probable. Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' front office have been hampered by LeBron James' massive contract that is finally coming off the books. Trading for Kawhi would put the Lakers back in the same predicament of having three massive salaries on their books, provided they are planning to work out a new deal with Austin Reaves (as assumed).
Moreover, the idea of a LeBron-Lakers reunion has gained more steam recently, and although no one knows what the financial blueprint would be to make that happen (while retaining Reaves), James coming back would presumably make a Kawhi trade pretty much impossible.
For a minute there this season, Lakers fans could realistically dream about Kawhi wearing purple and gold, but that ship has sailed. Barring something crazy, it sounds like Leonard wants to stay with the Clippers until he retires.
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