Kawhi Leonard Trade Talks Shake Clippers

Merlin hears the Clippers kept Kawhi Leonard past the trade deadline, but rival teams were quietly checking in. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said teams were "investigating" and "I believe there were trade talks with Kawhi. I don't know if anything ever got serious. But I know teams called." Salary size and injury history made any midseason deal difficult. Merlin senses Leonard is having perhaps the best season of his career at 27.9 points on 49.1 percent shooting, so he is a rare high-risk, high-reward prize. If the Clippers choose a full rebuild, moving him this summer when his $50.3 million contract expires is logical. If they pivot, they could use Pacers assets to try building around him.