Sources: Milwaukee Bucks expected to pursue trade for Kawhi Leonard this offseason

The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to pursue a trade for Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard this offseason, sources told Ahn Fire Digital.

Leonard turns 35 in June. The talented two-way forward will make $50.3 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Since the Clippers are no longer a championship contender after trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers at this year’s trade deadline, many people around the NBA expect Leonard and LAC’s brass to work together on a trade this offseason, sources said.

The Bucks are under immense pressure to surround two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with a co-star. Leonard is one of the top players in the NBA and would make Milwaukee a legitimate championship contender.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers coached Leonard on the Clippers, and Antetokounmpo has told people close to him that he would love to play with Leonard, sources said.

Milwaukee will be paying close attention to the Aspiration-Leonard scandal, sources said. If the NBA finds the Clippers guilty of circumventing the salary cap for Leonard, Leonard’s contract could get voided, and he would become an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team of his choice.

That would kill the Bucks’ chances of pairing Leonard with Antetokounmpo, as it is believed in league circles that Leonard would prefer to remain on the West Coast should his Clippers contract get voided, sources said.

Leonard is a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was named a top 75 player of all time in 2021. The seven-time All-Star holds career averages of 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.6 blocks per game with the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks could part ways this offseason if Milwaukee doesn’t make a blockbuster trade, sources said. The Bucks have won just one playoff series since winning the 2021 championship against the Phoenix Suns. Antetokounmpo was almost traded at this year’s trade deadline, but Milwaukee never received the grand offer it was looking for, sources said.