Clippers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard reports should lead to Jimmy Butler trade

The latest Los Angeles Clippers rumors around Kawhi Leonard are very promising and should force the Clippers to make a pre-emptive move this season as well.

The Los Angeles Clippers have enough cap space for two max contracts next season and with that, the Los Angeles Clippers rumors have been pouring in.

The biggest star that is connected to the team is Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has roots in Los Angeles and after the Los Angeles Lakers signed LeBron James, the chances of Leonard wearing purple and gold seemingly dropped.

In fact, Tim Bontemps of ESPN reports that Leonard might be leaning more towards the Clippers than the Lakers. A survey of several NBA executives gave that impression and Leonard himself even came out and admitted that he was not a Lakers fan.

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The Clippers rumors around Leonard have progressed from something to potentially be excited about to something that has a 50/50 chance of happening.

And I will admit, I was one of the first people to come out and question what the Clippers were doing and was pretty adamant about Leonard never coming to the team. I am already pretty wrong and I hope Leonard completely proves me wrong; I would love to see a Kawhi-LeBron LA rivalry.

These reports should spark the Los Angeles Clippers to make another move and that is trading for star forward Jimmy Butler.

I do understand the concerns around Butler and how his attitude and situation in Minnesota are all red flags. I get that and I wholeheartedly agree that Butler is not the kind of player that can put a franchise on his back.

Kawhi Leonard is, though, and Butler is a great complementary piece that would instantly make the Clippers title contenders.

With the steep asking price in mind, chances are that the Clippers would have to trade Tobias Harris to acquire Butler. I am a huge fan of Harris and think that Harris, at his best, is at least as good as Butler is.

However, Butler does have the higher ceiling and would be more than likely to sign an extension upon his arrival. Harris already said no to a contract extension in the summer. And while the two sides can still work out a deal, the Clippers would have to make some sort of sacrifice to get two stars.

The team could try and deal the young assets in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Jerome Robinson. I would not mind Robinson being dealt but Gilgeous-Alexander should be off the table. If the Timberwolves are willing to take Robinson, Danilo Gallinari, and two first-round picks, then I would pull the string.

It is a lot, especially for Butler. However, Butler would serve as the perfect precursor move to ensure Leonard signs with the team. Plus, if the Clippers let Butler get traded elsewhere, he very well could sign an extension there and the team could miss out on both stars.

The team could then sign Butler to an extension, bring in Leonard and utilize Harris’ Bird Rights to get all three guys under contract. In trading Gallinari, the Clippers would still be able to re-sign one or even two of the team’s expiring contracts.

This would create a starting five of Gilgeous-Alexander, Butler, Leonard, Harris and Boban Marjanovic (assuming he re-signs); the bench would consist of Lou Williams, Avery Bradley, Montrezl Harrell, Luc Mbah a Moute (assuming he re-signs) and Sindarius Thornwell.

Next. Clippers need one more piece to be a playoff team. dark

That is a pretty solid team and is definitely a legitimate title contender. Heck, unless the Lakers get Anthony Davis, this would clearly make the Clippers the better LA team.

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