The Los Angeles Clippers have several compelling options in front of them. Kawhi Leonard played at an All-NBA level this season. They could once again try to build a title team around him. An alternative is to embrace a youth movement after netting the No. 5 pick in this year's NBA Draft.
They lucked out in landing that selection. The Indiana Pacers placed a top-four protection on it in their deal with the Clippers for Ivica Zubac. From this vantage point, trading it would be foolish. Leonard remains a phenomenal talent, but he hasn't proven dependable enough to mortgage this pivotal part of their future on him as he turns 35.
Furthermore, they and the rest of the NBA must take note of what's unfolding in the Western Conference Finals. A seven-foot-four alien named Victor Wembanyama, who's probably taller than he's listed, and the two-time NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, are leading two teams positioned to rule the West for years to come.
What's more reasonable is to keep their franchise star, who seemingly wants to remain in Los Angeles, and the fifth overall pick. From there, they can try, responsibly, to chase next season's championship.
What if the Clippers decide to trade Kawhi Leonard?
For a team that has never won a championship, there has to be some temptation to trade the fifth overall selection in this year's draft and Darius Garland, who's on the books for $42.2 million next season, as part of a package to pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with Leonard.
Still, there's too much talent at the top of this draft, even outside of the top four, to go all-in on a short, volatile window, where they probably wouldn't build a roster that makes Los Angeles the favorite over the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Getting a call from the Boston Celtics, offering Jaylen Brown for Leonard, would be a gift. They'd get a younger All-NBA talent to move forward with.
However, if Boston's willing to trade Brown this summer, it's smarter to bet on Antetokounmpo than Leonard. He's younger, turning 32 in December, and there isn't a scandal hanging over his current franchise that allegedly relates to demands from one of his family members.
The Celtics place a premium on their team culture. Leonard is known for being distant and aloof. Antetokounmpo has surely created friction within the Milwaukee Bucks because of how he has handled a situation in which he seemingly wants out but doesn't want the backlash that could come with demanding a trade. The organization isn't blameless in how it has handled this matter, either.
However, team co-owner Jimmy Haslam has stated that the two sides are on good terms. If there's a divorce, it will be amicable. One day, there figures to be a statue of the two-time MVP, who brought the Bucks a championship, outside of their arena.
So far, underachieving, injuries, and an Aspiration scandal have defined Leonard's tenure with the Clippers.
Despite how it has gone in his home state, if the Celtics could acquire the seven-time All-Star without giving up Brown, that would be masterful work by Brad Stevens and the team's front office. The two-time NBA Finals MVP averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals last season. He can still elevate his level to that of a top-five player in the league.
That's why it's hard to believe that Boston could strike a deal for him with a package along the lines of Derrick White, Sam Hauser, some combination of Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh, and draft capital. That's likely very beatable for other franchises that would pursue his services.
So, while the idea of the Celtics returning next season with Brown and Leonard flanking Jayson Tatum is an exciting thought, it's probably not rooted in reality.
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