Could Masai Ujiri reunite with Kawhi Leonard to reshape the Mavericks overnight?

The possibility of Kawhi Leonard joining the Dallas Mavericks has become a more structured and calculated scenario after the franchise brought in Masai Ujiri as its new Team President earlier this month. Leonard himself has not indicated any intention of leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, but the growing discussion about his future is attracting more serious attention around the league.

SportDFW’s Ernesto Cova laid out a detailed hypothetical trade framework that could potentially bring Leonard to Dallas.

“The Mavericks could get Leonard and Kris Dunn in return for P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, Max Christie, and a 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected),” Cova wrote. “The Clippers would have to waive two players to make room for the newcomers, but the numbers work.”

An interesting aspect of the Leonard-to-the-Mavericks rumor is the ongoing NBA investigation into the Clippers over alleged extra payments to him through the company Aspiration. If the NBA decides to void Leonard's contract due to these violations, he could theoretically become a free agent, and that's when things can click with the Mavericks.

The Ujiri factor is also there, as he traded for Leonard in 2018, leading to Toronto’s 2019 championship. Leonard departed for the Clippers in free agency that same summer, but the professional relationship and mutual respect between the two have remained intact over the years.

From the Mavericks’ perspective, the urgency to reshape the roster has intensified following a disappointing season and the fallout from the Luka Doncic trade. Dallas is now focused on building a contender around young star Cooper Flagg. In that context, Leonard represents exactly the type of elite two-way wing the roster currently lacks.

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