The L.A. Clippers are ramping up for a huge offseason and have a big decision to make regarding star Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi will enter the final year of his contract next season.
And if his contract isn't voided by the NBA first, the Clippers would be wise to trade him. That is where the Detroit Pistons potentially come in.
The Pistons could have interest in Kawhi this summer and have the expendable assets needed to make a trade for him. However, the Clippers won't just move Kawhi unless it's a favorable deal and there is a trade that could help both sides.
Clippers can shock NBA world by trading Kawhi Leonard to Pistons
The proposed deal would see the Pistons trade Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Stewart, and Caris LeVert as well as two first-round picks for Kawhi.
As far as the players the Clippers would be receiving, none of them are much to write home about, but there would be value to trading Kawhi for that package. For one, Robinson has a unique contract structure with it being worth $15 million this season, but only $2 million of his salary is guaranteed.
That enables him to be traded and then waived by his new team, allowing them to save $13 million instantly. That could be mighty tempting to L.A. Meanwhile, LaVert is an expiring contract that could be moved later during the summer or next season.
The Clippers must trade Kawhi Leonard to move onto a new era
As for Stewart, he is young enough to be a useful player on a retooling Clippers. More importantly, the Clippers would be receiving the 21st pick in this year's draft courtesy of the Pistons as well as a 2028 first.
Given that the Clippers traded most of their assets to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paul George deal, those two first would be huge. Remember, they have the fifth pick in this year's draft, as well as young star Darius Garland and former lottery pick Bennedict Mathurin.
It's clear that the Clippers are moving in a different direction, one that likely doesn't include Kawhi. It wasn't that long ago that he seemed unlikely to be traded given his injury history.
However, his play this season helped to restore some of his trade value, and the Clippers should look to capitalize. If the Pistons are willing to give up Stewart, LeVert, Robinson, and two firsts, then the Clippers should jump at the chance to do so.
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