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Trade speculation around Kawhi Leonard cools as NBA insiders reject reports linking the Clippers superstar to a rumored suitor.
Reports linking Kawhi Leonard to the Dallas Mavericks have emerged over the past few days. With Leonard still in ongoing talks with the Los Angeles Clippers for an extension, a scenario where Leonard could go to Dallas has stirred the NBA community.
Not so fast, though, according to NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein on Sunday. Dallas might be out of the picture based on the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations, Masai Ujiri’s vision for the team.
Reports Linking Kawhi Leonard to New Team Quickly Shot Down
The Athletic’s Christian Clark, Dan Woike, and Sam Amick reported on Sunday that Ujiri’s offer to the Clippers includes P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, and draft picks. ClutchPoints’ Tomer Azarly, a day before, also mentioned the Mavericks’ interest in Leonard.
In the “Stein Line,” Fischer and Stein countered:
“Despite the undeniable mutual respect that endures between Ujiri and Leonard – Dallas is not currently regarded as a plausible trade destination in this case and has not yet been presented to Leonard as such.”
On May 20, after Ujiri fired coach Jason Kidd, the executive said that the team needed a “new slate” and “clarity on where we’re going.”
The 2013 NBA Executive of the Year provided more context when he added:
“Every decision we are going to make here is going to be future-based. We have a 19-year-old generational player (Flagg) on our roster, and we have to think that way. We’re not going to make decisions based on winning today. I don’t think that would make sense for the organization.”
Acquiring Leonard is a no-brainer for the Mavericks, but not at the price the Clippers are looking for.
According to Azarly, Clippers governor Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank would only consider trading Leonard if they “were blown away with an offer that involves multiple first-round picks and a young, emerging talent.”
If that’s the case, Ujiri will find it tough to bid for Leonard. The Mavericks, who finished the 2025-26 season with a 26-56 record, have almost no first-round pick left until 2031.
Dallas owes the Charlotte Hornets a first-round pick unless it falls into the top 2 in 2027. The Mavs’ 2028 and 2030 first-round picks are also tied to pick swaps with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, respectively. Dallas has no control of its 2029 first-round pick, according to The Athletic.
KEEP READING: ‘Insane,’ ‘What Nico Would Do!’ – NBA World Reacts to Mavericks’ Rumored Trade Offer for Kawhi Leonard
Also, Ujiri might not want to package a young and emerging talent along with a haul of first-round picks to get the two-time NBA Finals MVP. He is reportedly willing to offer veterans Washington and Thompson, but giving up Dereck Lively II is another story.
With Ujiri’s priorities set, pursuing Leonard, who will turn 35 on Monday, might not happen. The seven-time All-Star averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game this past season.
However, “The Claw” has struggled to stay healthy in his career, making a trade for him highly risky.
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