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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.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

In an ideal world, New York Giants decision-makers reportedly hope Jeremiah Love is still on the board when they make the No. 5 pick next week. However, if he doesn’t, they have three backup plans in mind.

There has been much speculation about what the Giants will do with the fifth overall selection in next week’s NFL Draft. Early mock drafts linked Big Blue to talented Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. And when new head coach John Harbaugh was asked about his choice to select him in Round 1, he even called him a potential Hall of Famer.

Still, while the coach is a fan of Downs, it seems a different player is at the top of his wish list. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, “Coach Harbaugh and the Giants in particular are heavily dependent on Jeremiah Love. If he’s available, it’s hard to see them passing up that opportunity.”

New York Giants like to trade back in Round 1

There have been previous reports that, despite Cam Scatebo being there, the Giants brass were very interested in the Notre Dame running back and Heisman Trophy finalist. Unfortunately for New York, it looks likely that the Tennessee Titans will take him at No. 4. So what do they do if he’s no longer available?

According to Giants Insider, Downs and his OSU teammate Sonny Styles are the other players “highest on their radar” with the fifth overall selection. Still, a pick among the five is not considered an “ideal” scenario by Harbaugh and the front office.

“In an ideal world, the Giants would like to move back a few spots, add more picks (they have just two in the top 100), and draft a player like Caleb Downs. But that’s easier said than done,” Raanan reports.

In just less than a week, Giants fans will find out which direction the team goes with the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos