The evidence appears to be mounting against the L.A. Clippers and Kawhi Leonard in an alleged cap circumvention scheme. As a result, it's becoming increasingly possible that Leonard's contract will be voided by the league.
NBA insiders John Hollinger and Nate Duncan even raised the possibility of him being made a free agent at some point next season during one of their recent podcasts. If the NBA finds the accusations to be true, it seems to be well within their rights.
If that unprecedented step is taken, then it could send shockwaves around the NBA with teams lining up to sign Leonard. Even if for just a season. The Golden State Warriors should be one of those teams.
After all, their offseason has been among the worst of all NBA teams. They have yet to sign a free agent and are waiting to sign Al Horford and Gary Payton II while the Jonathan Kuminga contract standoff plays out.
Even when it inevitably does resolve itself, Golden State's three best players, Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, are all still over the age of 35. That is incredibly old for a playoff team's core.
Therefore, they will need for several young players to step up or for them to acquire another big name to bolster their roster. That is where a Leonard may come into play.
The Warriors should pray that the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard becomes available
Although other teams may be able to offer him more, if Leonard suddenly finds himself a free agent, he may opt to join a contender next season. That would give him the best chance to win in the short term as he plots his next move in the long term.
Joining Golden State will keep him in California and just four hours from Los Angeles. It would also give him the chance to rehab his image by helping turn the aging Warriors into contenders.
To be clear, Leonard's availability is always a major question mark. But if they can get even 60 regular season games from him and keep him healthy for the playoffs, then he'd be worth his weight in gold for the Warriors.
The Warriors would be instant contenders with Kawhi Leonard
Imagine a starting five that features Curry, Buddy Hield, Butler, Leonard, and Draymond Green. That would pair three stellar defenders together in the front court while still having plenty of shooting with Curry, Hield, and Leonard.
The odds of that happening depend entirely on the outcome of an investigation by the league. That and Leonard choosing Golden State if his deal is voided, but there's a non-zero chance that happens.
Barring Leonard falling into their laps, the Warriors would probably be in the play-in range. That's not an awful spot for them to be in, but clearly a few tiers down the West pecking order with little upside.
Ultimately, the possibility that Leonard shakes loose after having his contract voided seems increasingly plausible. If he does, then him joining up with Curry and the Warriors in the short term could transform Golden State into a win-now contender.