NBA Trade Rumors: Blockbuster Mock Deal That Pairs Kawhi Leonard With Bam Adebayo as Miami Lose Tyler Herro and Others

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It might be time for the LA Clippers to move on from Kawhi Leonard, with the team having the second-worst record in the West. The Clippers are 6-19, so more and more people are expecting Leonard to get traded ahead of this season's deadline on Feb. 6.

The Zodiac GM joined Yahoo! Sports Daily to discuss the future of Leonard with the Clippers. The franchise has not indicated that they are making the two-time NBA Finals MVP available. However, it might be safe to say that they won't oppose an offer that could help their chances of improving their current predicament.

The two teams that The Zodiac GM mentioned as a potential fit for Leonard are the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings. The Heat are playing under a revamped offense under coach Erik Spoelstra, while the Kings also need a franchise rest with an identical record of 6-19.

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Kawhi Leonard would fit right in the Miami Heat's culture, though his injury history would make Pat Riley think about what he would give up. Here's what The Zodiac GM proposed between the Heat and LA Clippers.

Heat received: Kawhi Leonard

Clippers received: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Simone Fontecchio, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Dru Smith, plus a 2028 first-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick

It might be a lot to give up for an injury-prone star, but if he stays healthy, the Heat could have a chance in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Leonard will remain as the first option ahead of Bam Adebayo, Norman Powell and Andrew Wiggins.

The only downside for the Heat is their depth would take a hit, and there might not be any good free agents that will fit into their culture.

Meanwhile, the Clippers get a bunch of players who could turn things around. They will have to tinker with their roster, but Herro, Jovic and Jaquez are all very good players and all 25 and under.


Kawhi Leonard having a bounce-back season

 IMAGN)Kawhi Leonard having a bounce-back season. (Photo: IMAGN)

Kawhi Leonard had an injury-plagued campaign last season and was limited to just 37 games. Leonard was then involved in an alleged salary cap issue with the LA Clippers, with the franchise being investigated by the NBA.

Despite the injuries and distractions, Leonard is having a bounce-back season. While he missed 10 games with a sprained ankle, he's averaging 25.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals in 15 games. However, the Clippers have only four wins in those games.

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Edited by Juan Paolo David

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