Western Conference Contender Linked to Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard in Blockbuster Offseason Trade.
It was another disappointing early-round playoff exit this season for the Los Angeles Clippers as they were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets in seven games.
Of course, the Clippers exceeded expectations this season as they finished fifth in the Western Conference standings after many questioned whether they would be a playoff team after losing Paul George in the offseason along with Kawhi Leonard entering the season with a knee injury.
Despite this, Los Angeles was able to make the playoffs but it was yet another early playoff exit for them.
Due to this, it may be time for them to try and switch things up in the offseason, which means Leonard could be on the move.
NBA insider Yossi Gozlan recently named three teams that make sense as a trade destination for Leonard and among them was the team that knocked the Clippers out of the playoffs, the Nuggets.
Of course, the Nuggets were unable to make it past the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round after pushing the series to seven games and they may also make some roster changes in the offseason.
With Nikola Jokic leading the way, the Nuggets need to capitalize on his prime, which could see them make a move for Leonard via a trade with the Clippers.
For them to do so, they would likely have to move on from Michael Porter Jr. along with either Jamal Murray or Aaron Gordon to match salaries but they also lack draft capital that Los Angeles would likely want in a potential trade for their star forward.
Because of this, it is likely that the Clippers would search for a different team that could offer them a better package but a star duo of Leonard and Jokic would be a deadly one in Denver that could help them make another championship run.
