Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer Reportedly Refuses to Consider Trading Kawhi Leonard
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Los Angeles Clippers governor Steve Ballmer is said to be firmly against moving All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, despite ongoing inquiries from several NBA teams, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported.
According to the report, the Golden State Warriors examined Leonard’s availability at various points, but the Clippers never entered substantive discussions. Miami has also been linked to Leonard in separate rumors cited by Dallas Hoops Journal’s Ashish Mathur.
Ballmer’s stance comes as Leonard heads into the final season of his contract, a year that will pay him about $50 million. The 32-year-old played 65 games in 2023-24, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while flashing the form that earned him two NBA Finals MVP awards earlier in his career.
Leonard has been interviewed by league investigators reviewing allegations that the Clippers violated salary-cap regulations in compensating him, but the probe has not altered Ballmer’s commitment to keeping the five-time All-NBA selection in Los Angeles.
The Clippers continue to shape their offseason plans, yet trading Leonard is not currently part of the organization’s agenda.
Source: Hoops Wire
