Clippers Already Traded Kawhi. Here’s the Move That Could Define Their Rebuild

The Kawhi Leonard era in Los Angeles is officially over. The Clippers sent him to Toronto, and honestly, it had been coming for a while. The front office made it clear around the trade deadline they wanted to get younger and pivot toward something new. They’ve done that much. But if you think they’re done, you haven’t been paying attention.

This team is still going to be competitive — Brandon Ingram gives them a real scoring threat, and there’s enough around him to stay in games. But competitive isn’t the same as dangerous. If the Clippers want to build something that actually matters in the Western Conference, there’s one trade and one free agent signing they need to prioritize this summer.

Go Get Michael Porter Jr.

Brooklyn just made a bunch of noise by trading for Julius Randle and drafting Mikel Brown Jr. That team looks like it’s trying to win now. But the Nets might not be done reshuffling the deck. Michael Porter Jr. just put up a career year in his first season with them, and there were rumors before the deadline that contenders were sniffing around. It’s not clear if he’s still being shopped, but the Clippers should be making that phone call either way.

Porter would give them another legit scoring option on the wing alongside Ingram. Both guys can stretch the floor and create their own shot. The defense might be a concern with those two on the court together, but this league is about putting points on the board. Sometimes you live with the trade-offs.

Make a Run at Peyton Watson

The Nuggets have been saying they want to extend Peyton Watson. But right now they don’t have the cap space to make it happen. That’s why you’ve heard names like Cam Johnson, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon pop up in trade rumors — Denver is trying to clear room to give Watson the deal he’s earned.

If that doesn’t work out for them, Watson should test the market. And the Clippers should be first in line. He’s a 3-and-D wing who can help immediately. Los Angeles has the flexibility to offer him a contract that forces Denver to make a tough decision. If the Nuggets match, fine. If they don’t, the Clippers just added a guy who can guard multiple positions and knock down catch-and-shoot threes. That’s exactly the kind of piece you want next to Ingram.

No one’s saying these moves turn the Clippers into title favorites overnight. But they’d be a lot more interesting than they are right now. And after trading away a superstar, that’s really all you can ask for in year one of the reset.