Clippers having ‘real conversations’ about trading Kawhi Leonard to former team
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The Clippers need to figure out what they’re going to do with Kawhi Leonard.
According to a report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Clippers have reportedly “had real conversations” about trading Leonard to the Raptors.
The Raptors and Clippers have held real trade conversations this weekend on sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, according to the league sources.
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Before Leonard signed with the Clippers during the 2019 NBA offseason, he had a one-year stint in Toronto after he was traded by the Spurs to the Raptors in the 2018 offseason.
The 2018-2019 season was one for the ages for Leonard as he led Toronto to its first championship in franchise history and was crowned Finals MVP after the Raptors dethroned the Warriors, the reigning back-to-back champions.
Fischer reported that if a reunion between Leonard and the Raptors happens, Toronto would prefer trading Brandon Ingram as opposed to trading RJ Barrett.
Ingram is fairly familiar with the Los Angeles landscape after being selected with the second pick of the 2016 NBA Draft by the Lakers.
In discussions with the Clippers, sources say Toronto has expressed a preference in dealing Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles, as opposed to RJ Barrett.
Our story from Thursday, first revealing this possible reunion between the Raptors and Kawhi Leonard: https://t.co/3cXkUpMI6X https://t.co/TYzPyik4sB
Ingram is coming off his second career All-Star season after averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season.
Barrett was a former third overall pick by the Knicks in the 2019 NBA Draft. He is coming off a season in which he averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Leonard is set to enter the final year of his contract and will make $50.3 million this season. Ingram makes $40 million next season and has a player option of $41.9 million next year.
Recent reports have indicated that if Leonard and the Clippers can’t agree on an extension this year, they could look into trading him this offseason.
Reports also have indicated the Warriors remain interested in trading for Leonard, which could drive up the asking price by the Clippers if there is an all-out bidding war for the former two-time Finals MVP.