NBA rumors: ESPN’s Kawhi Leonard trade hypothetical lands him with Heat over Warriors, Rockets, Pistons appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard may be the biggest name to watch out for this upcoming NBA offseason outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo. His time with the Clippers could come to an end if LA receives a trade offer they cannot pass up. After the Clippers failed to reach the postseason again, the signs could be on the wall.
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A recent ESPN hypothetical trade scenario predicts four potential trades that the Clippers could entertain. ESPN’s group of NBA Insiders all worked together on these hypotheticals, with Insider Bobby Marks’ analysis. The four teams are the Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat.
The verdict would ultimately be that the Heat makes the trade for Leonard, and they use Pat Riley’s recent comments about “being pissed off” as motivation to get it done.
Miami Heat get:
Kawhi Leonard
Kris Dunn
LA Clippers get:
Tyler Herro
Andrew Wiggins
2030 unprotected first
2032 unprotected first
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“The Heat have been trying to land a true franchise superstar for years now, and this would achieve that goal. Leonard would be the centerpiece of a Heat team that could help lead Miami back to the success of the Butler years. Leonard is a two-way superstar whose style of play fits into the culture of the Heat, and Dunn is an excellent defensive guard who could pair with ‘Off-Night’ Davion Mitchell to give opposing backcourts nightmares.”
“Herro would give the Clippers a good young guard to pair with Garland, Wiggins is still a starting-caliber small forward, and the two first-rounders would give them added currency to speed up the rebuilding process.” — Andre Snellings
“Acquiring Leonard would ease his (Riley’s) anger, at least for now. The trade Snellings laid out is a win for Miami not only because of the star they’d be adding, but in who remains on the roster. The Heat would retain the No. 12 pick in June’s draft, along with 10 players from this season’s team, including Bam Adebayo. And because they are taking back less money in the trade, Miami could also re-sign free agent Norman Powell and still remain under the luxury tax.”
The Heat are going to be after Giannis Antetokounmpo as well.
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