The Los Angeles Clippers season came to a disappointing end when they were blown out by the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 of their first-round series. While disappointing, they had a far better season than many expected, partly thanks to Kawhi Leonard and his resurgent play.
Although he missed the first 33 games of this season, he played like a superstar upon his return and plays even better in the playoffs, averaging 25 points and 7.6 rebounds. Having a superstar play like a superstar is not normally out of the ordinary, but given his long injury history, it's definitely encouraging.
Even so, the Clippers must make some tough decisions this summer if they want to return to championship contention eventually. That could include moving on from Leonard this summer.
The Clippers must make the gut-wrenching decision to trade Kawhi Leonard
The thought of trading Leonard after a strong season might come as a surprise to some, but it makes plenty of sense. The Clippers have a clear roster ceiling, and they already got the best possible outcome from it.
James Harden had a strong season, but he is 35 years old, and even if he has another terrific season in him, he often flails in the playoffs. Leonard, on the other hand, often struggles to make it through the regular season, and when he does, he often misses playoff games, which usually sinks his team's chances of advancing.
With him being 33 years old, they should look to shop him now rather than risk him having another injury over the summer or next season that could tank his value. Trading him may be easier said than done with him being an injury risk and aging.
Nevertheless, it's not far-fetched to think that another playoff team would be interested in acquiring him, believing that he's the missing piece.
Which team could trade for Kawhi Leonard this summer?
One such team could be the Dallas Mavericks, who already traded their superstar, Luka Doncic, and are stuck with a mediocre roster.
General manager Nico Harrison could likely talk himself into pairing Leonard with Anthony Davis in the hopes of saving face and reemerging as a contender. Especially when star Kyrie Irving returns from an ACL tear in January of next year. The Sacramento Kings also might be interested in him, given their need to improve defensively and the uncertainty surrounding Domantas Sabonis.
They can't afford to have him demand a trade, and they may try to acquire Leonard if he becomes available to appease Sabonis. How much either team would be willing to give up for Leonard is unclear, but both have enough assets to potentially make it worthwhile for the Clippers.
All told, the Clippers would be wise to shop Leonard this summer to see what they can get for their best player. If another playoff team believes that he could be the missing piece, they might give up something that could help the Clippers rebuild. As a result, they should strongly consider trading him if the opportunity presents itself.