Kawhi Leonard could also be priming himself for a return to The Lone Star State.
The Houston Rockets may doubtlessly be within the combine to commerce for the L.A. Clippers star ahead Leonard, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reported on Saturday. The indication is that the Rockets have entered the fray, as Leonard could be curious about presumably signing a contract extension with them.
Leonard, who turns 35 on Monday, is coming off the strongest statistical season of his NBA profession. He averaged a career-high 27.9 factors to associate with 6.3 rebounds and three.6 assists per recreation for the Clippers and earned an All-Star choice for simply the second time since 2021.
However Leonard is now coming into his last assured yr below contract in 2026-27 at $50.3 million. If he can not conform to an extension with the Clippers this summer time, the prevailing thought is that the group will probably be buying and selling Leonard away to keep away from the potential for shedding him for nothing in 2027.
We heard a report earlier this week that Leonard was truly interested in reuniting with one in every of his outdated NBA groups. Now, Leonard’s listing could also be increasing to incorporate one other notable group within the Rockets.
Houston went a stellar 52-30 final season however misplaced within the first spherical to the Los Angeles Lakers. With Kevin Durant, 37, main the cost and Leonard’s former Toronto Raptors teammate Fred VanVleet, 32, set to return subsequent season from a torn ACL, the Rockets have emerged as a viable potential commerce vacation spot for the previous Finals MVP Leonard.
