2 Giannis Antetokounmpo trade suitors called Clippers about Kawhi Leonard

Amid trade talks around the league, Milwaukee Buckswith All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo in mind, he allegedly inquired about doing business with Los Angeles Clippers for Kawhi Leonard. In the final hours before the trade deadline, The Bucks were Leonard’s last-minute suitors. The Clippers ended up keeping Kawhi until the end of the season, but his future remains uncertain beyond 2025-26.

And the Clippers off-season trade because Leonard could still be on the horizon, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“There were two teams in particular that were chasing Giannis that called the Clippers about Kawhi Leonard, checking on his availability,” Siegel said. “If he’s still on the Clippers roster going into the summer and his contract isn’t voided, he’ll be entering the final year of his contract, I believe it’s around $50.3 million.”

“No matter how old he is, as long as he’s healthy, it’s going to be seen as another scenario when the Spurs traded him to the Toronto Raptors. This is the last year of his contract. He can still be a big part of a championship team even though it’s years later. We’ve seen what Kawhi Leonard can do.”

No one expected James Harden’s trade request in the midst of his most successful stretch of the regular season. Then the Clippers’ trade to the Indiana Pacers for Ivica Zubac prompted other teams to call about Leonard.

Can Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers return to the Raptors?

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard has been the subject of trade rumors ahead of schedule, and is expected to be once again during the offseason, as noted by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

“Then the Toronto Raptors traded for Leonard not knowing what awaited him in free agency. That move led Toronto to their first NBA championship,” Siegel said.

“Something similar could happen with Leonard this coming offseason. Maybe, just maybe, a return to the Raptors to compete for another championship is a scenario we could see play out.”

Perhaps the offseason will reignite trade talks between the Raptors, who were reportedly interested in Ivica Zubac, over the summer, or perhaps a call from the Bucks.