Rumors of Kawhi Leonard considering suitors besides the Clippers have made rounds but Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com reports that there’s been no indication that the former Finals MVP will leave Los Angeles.
The Mavericks had been linked to Leonard, who is in serious risk of missing the entire 2021/22 season after undergoing ACL surgery. Dallas has been deemed the “biggest threat” to pry Leonard out of California.
The Knicks are also among the teams with interest in pursuing the All-Star forward.
More NBA Trade Rumors
- DeMar DeRozan is hitting the free-agent market this summer and he indicated that the decision for his next team will be “all about winning,” as he told Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Podcast. The USC product would still like to be compensated properly but it appears he’s only considering true contenders.
- The Bulls could bring back Derrick Rose as they look for point guard help, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports hears. Chicago has had internal discussions about signing Rose, though the former MVP is a secondary target at this time. The franchise has its eyes on other point guards as well, including Lonzo Ball.
- Keeping point guard T.J. McConnell is a higher priority for the Pacers in free agency than small forward Doug McDermott, per J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star. McDermott’s “escalating price tag,” is playing a role in that. If McConnell sticks around, Indiana could look to trade Aaron Holiday.
- Bulls free-agent center Daniel Theis may be seeking a large payday in free agency, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago hears. Theis, 29, averaged 10.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 23 games with the Bulls, who acquired him from Boston in March.
- The Mavericks are prioritizing bringing back Tim Hardaway Jr in free agency. Hardaway, who averaged 16.6 points per game including 39 percent shooting from three last season, arrived in Dallas as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade back in 2019.
- Will Barton declined his $14.7 million player option with the Nuggets, but there is tremendous interest in the two parties to come to an agreement on a new deal, per Charania. Barton has established himself as a fan favorite over his six-plus years in Denver.
