The Golden State Warriors are emerging as one of the most aggressive suitors for Kawhi Leonard this season, and according to Fadeaway World, they may already have a concrete trade package prepared. With Stephen Curry entering the later stages of his legendary career, the Warriors appear ready to make a bold swing for another championship window — and Jimmy Butler’s massive contract could be the key that unlocks it.
Under the reported framework, the deal would look like this:
Golden State Warriors Receive: Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Jimmy Butler, Will Richard, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick swap
The draft compensation stands out as the true centerpiece for the Clippers. While Butler remains a proven star, his age, injury history, and hefty salary make him a less appealing long-term building block. For Golden State, however, this would represent a high-stakes gamble aimed squarely at maximizing Curry’s remaining prime. Leonard would be the lone incoming player, allowing the Warriors to preserve additional assets for future depth or another star acquisition.
The timing feels urgent for the Warriors. Jimmy Butler’s heartbreaking torn ACL injury this season not only derailed Golden State’s title hopes but also left his $56 million salary largely stranded on the injured list. He is projected to miss several months at the start of next season even in the most optimistic recovery scenario. Trading Butler is now viewed internally as the only realistic path to dramatically upgrading the roster. His expiring deal is one of the few contracts large enough to match the salary of most All-Star-caliber targets on the market.
Yet the move would not be without significant risk. Leonard himself carries a well-documented injury history and is now at an advanced age for an elite two-way wing. Golden State would essentially be choosing between loyalty to an injured veteran and the chance to surround Curry with one final elite supporting cast capable of chasing another ring.
On the Clippers’ side, the rationale for accepting the deal appears equally compelling. Los Angeles has already signaled a clear shift in direction, having traded both James Harden and Ivica Zubac earlier this season to abandon any immediate contention hopes built around Leonard. The franchise is now focused on rebuilding around its recently acquired younger talent — Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin — while Kawhi has served as the veteran leader following a strong bounce-back campaign.
Roster flexibility has become the Clippers’ top priority. The combination of two future first-round picks, promising young forward Will Richard, and Butler’s expiring contract would provide valuable assets to accelerate the rebuild. Should Butler recover and perform well in the second half of next season, Los Angeles could even retain him in a similar leadership and on-court role to the one Leonard currently fills.
In the end, this proposed trade encapsulates the high-wire calculus facing both franchises. For the Warriors, it is an all-in bet on the present. For the Clippers, it is a calculated step toward the future. Whether the deal ultimately materializes remains to be seen — but the framework revealed by Fadeaway World already feels like one of the most intriguing hypothetical moves of the offseason.