A new rumor points to the All-Star being the Golden State Warriors' top target this summer. However, there is one important hurdle that must be overcome first.
After entering the season as a secret contender in the West, injuries to Golden State's top two players completely derailed their NBA Finals aspirations. Finishing the season with a 37-45 record and missing the playoffs guarantees that change is definitely coming for the Warriors this offseason.
Over the past few weeks, rumors and speculation have been rife that NBA greats like LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard will be on the team's radar. But who's really at the top of their wish list? A new report has shed new light on that question.
"League sources say the Warriors were the team that most aggressively traded for the Clippers' Leonard in the final stretch before the league's Feb. 5 trade deadline, while the Clippers had already traded James Harden and Ivica Zubac that same week," Mark Stein reported at Steinline.
Why will Kawhi Leonard be the Warriors' top target this summer?
The Warriors reportedly made a play for James in a trade a few years ago. He has also been viewed as a top contender if he tests free agency this offseason. Golden State was reportedly very aggressive in looking for an Antetokounmpo trade even before the deadline.
If James does decide to retire this summer he will need to take a significant pay cut to play for the Warriors. While they will have more assets to offer this offseason, if their original trade package wasn't enough to convince the Milwaukee Bucks in February, will it really be enough in a few months?
Leonard brings a lot of risk. But there is a real possibility that his contract could be voided, and he may be more willing than James to take a discounted rate to play for a contender. Or the Clippers may want to trade him. The cost to acquire the seven-time All-Star would be much lower than that of Antetokounmpo due to Leonard's age and long injury history.
Considering how hard they were going after him before the trade deadline, it would make a lot of sense for Leonard to be the Warriors' top target in the offseason. However, Steen noted a major obstacle in the pursuit of Leonard or any experienced star.
He wrote, "However, whether the Warriors re-emerge as a contender will depend on whether Steve Kerr returns as Golden State's coach after 12 seasons." "If Kerr is rehired as the coach of this team, it would be a very strong signal that the Warriors will try to assemble at least one more season of experienced players around Stephen Curry to try to compete. Conversely, if the two sides part ways, it could signal the beginning of a real Bay Area overhaul."
