As we’ve seen previously with Leonard and the Toronto Raptors, even winning a title isn’t enough to keep him around long term. What’s more, as one rival executive from another team that has an interest in Leonard shared with The Athletic, there is skepticism that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is truly willing to trade Leonard. Since Pistons president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon has been at the helm, he’s prioritized optionality. Neither Duren, 22, nor Thompson, 23, has reached their prime. It’d be a short-sighted move to ship either of them off for a player in Leonard, who turns 35 on June 29 with no guarantee he’d want to be around for the bulk of Cade Cunningham’s best years.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Clippers unlikely to trade Kawhi Leonard?