According to a recent report by renowned NBA reporter Law Murray, if the Clippers had received trade inquiries about Kawhi Leonard a month ago, the management would most likely have decisively rejected them. At that time, Leonard remained healthy from the end of last season to the beginning of the new season, and the lineup with Harden and Beal seemed complete, with the team expecting him to play consistently. However, just four weeks later, President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank has a clear reason to re-evaluate Leonard's value, and everything points to Leonard's drastically declining plus/minus statistics.

In 19 games this season, Leonard has missed 10. If it were just regular season rest, management could reluctantly accept it, as the team's consistent strategy has been to prioritize ensuring Leonard's availability for the playoffs. But what truly worries management is Leonard's actual impact when he does play. His total plus/minus this season is as low as -57, averaging -7.1 per game. Both statistics point to the same conclusion: Leonard has gone from being a pillar of the team to a burden dragging down the team's performance.

In other words, even if Leonard's health remains like a finely tuned instrument requiring meticulous maintenance, there will still be teams willing to take a gamble, trading draft picks for his past championship experience and playoff value. "The Clippers have reached a point where they must make a change," said Law Murray. "The Clippers are listening to trade offers for Leonard and are also discussing trade options for Harden."

It's understandable that Leonard's plus/minus wouldn't be positive after the team has lost 14 games. But Leonard's numbers shouldn't be this bad. The Clippers are paying him over $50 million this season, hoping he would lead the team forward, not become a statistical black hole while most of his teammates are struggling.

In contrast, the player truly carrying the Clippers is James Harden, averaging 27.9 points and 8.4 assists, making him the team's most valuable player, but his plus/minus is only -2.1. As the highest-paid player on the team, Kawhi Leonard's performance has been far below expectations, and his plus-minus rating is the lowest on the team.

Individual statistics and team performance clearly show that the Clippers mistakenly invested valuable salary cap space in a star player who is hurting the team's chances of winning. Leonard still averages 23.1 points per game, but his impact on the game has significantly declined, providing ample reason for management to pursue a major trade.

"Leonard's trade value is still there, but the best window for a trade is closing," Lou Murray revealed. "The Clippers' management is seriously discussing maximizing his trade value during the remainder of his contract." The Clippers have begun to signal that Leonard is available for trade, and by February 2026, two first-round draft picks might be the main return.

For a star player of Leonard's caliber, the Clippers' asking price isn't exorbitant, but it could serve as leverage in subsequent trades, such as acquiring a young guard like LaMelo Ball. Regardless, the Clippers are actively seeking trade options for Leonard.

A trade involving Leonard must happen soon; the more the Clippers hesitate, the more disappointing the return will likely be. The Warriors and Bucks are among the most aggressive teams pursuing Leonard.

It might be premature to say the Warriors are in crisis; their 10-10 record could go either way. The difficult early-season schedule was just an adjustment period, and there's still room for improvement as the schedule eases. However, the Warriors may indeed make a move in the mid-to-late season, with Kuminga being the most likely trade asset.

Acquiring Leonard doesn't seem like the best solution to the Warriors' problems. The team is aging and lacks the ability to drive to the basket, and Leonard can't solve either of these issues. But since the Warriors have already made a choice by trading for Butler, going all-in on this veteran roster to chase a championship is the only option for the next two years. Leonard could bring a clutch player, outside scoring threat, and reliable defense to the Warriors, but besides Kuminga, the Warriors would need to include several other players to match salaries, making a trade extremely difficult. The Bucks have shown a strong desire for change this season, but even after waiving Damian Lillard and signing Myles Turner, they haven't been able to overcome their struggles. They suffered a six-game losing streak during Giannis Antetokounmpo's groin injury, and their competitiveness in the Eastern Conference is gradually weakening. Even in the relatively weak Eastern Conference, this Bucks roster lacks the depth to advance beyond the first round.

The Bucks' management views acquiring Kawhi Leonard as another desperate gamble. However, the Bucks lack attractive young players or draft assets, and if the Clippers initiate a rebuild, they will certainly want to acquire future assets in return. The Bucks are very eager to acquire Leonard; adding another All-Star alongside Giannis is always a reasonable strategy, and Doc Rivers also has experience coaching Leonard.

"The Clippers are listening to trade offers from multiple teams, and trading Leonard has become a serious option being discussed internally," said Law Murray. "The Warriors are likely Leonard's next destination, but the Bucks are also actively pursuing him."

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