Warriors want Kawhi Leonard but have intriguing backup option

With the NBA offseason ongoing, it appears the Warriors are committed to acquiring another star to play alongside Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.

The Warriors have expressed significant interest in acquiring Kawhi Leonard and have viewed Trey Murphy as another option, ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported.

Kawhi Leonard is drawing interest from the Warriors. NBAE via Getty Images

The interest in Leonard dates back to last season’s trade deadline, when a source confirmed to Slater that the Warriors attempted to trade for Leonard but were eventually told “no” by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

The reports of the Warriors’ interest in Leonard were doubled down on Friday morning as Sam Amick of The Athletic reported that the Warriors have Leonard in their “Plan A” list as they appear to be very interested in acquiring the two-time Finals MVP. But Amick noted that nobody in the NBA knows if Leonard is available.

As it remains unknown if Leonard is available, it appears more likely that Golden State could look into a trade with the Pelicans for Murphy. Golden State holds the 11th pick of the NBA draft, and reports have indicated the Pelicans are looking to move him for a pick in the top 20.

At 26 years old, Murphy is starting to come into his own as a young and promising forward after having a career high in average (21 points), with 5.7 total rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.

Murphy has been mentioned in other trade talk this summer; rumors have included him in a potential three-way trade between the Bucks and Celtics that is headlined by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and former Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.

The Warriors are showing interest in acquiring Kawhi Leonard.

With the possibility of acquiring Murphy, Kevin O’Connor of “The Kevin O’Connor Show” reported that Golden State is more interested in acquiring Leonard.

“I do still think the Warriors still want Kawhi Leonard,” O’Connor said. “… Trey Murphy, as Anthony Slater says, seems to be just the more obtainable guy, but I don’t think this Warriors’ love for Kawhi Leonard has declined at all.”

At 34 years old last season, Leonard showed he can still play at a high level, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.