Per Tim McMahon, there is a belief that Kawhi Leonard will have to take a legitimate pay cut if he wishes to sign an extension with the LA Clippers this summer, placing further uncertainty around Leonard’s future in LA. With the Miami Heat reportedly showing interest in Leonard, the potential for a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets should be considered.
A Three-Team Trade Sends Kawhi Leonard To the Miami Heat
The three-team trade proposal
Clippers receive: Michael Porter Jr, Nikola Jovic, Kel’el Ware, Miami 2026 1st round pick (13)
Nets receive: Andrew Wiggins, Miami 2028 1st round pick
Heat receive: Kawhi Leonard
The Clippers’ perspective
For the Clippers, this trade makes sense because it allows them to move on from Leonard while still positioning themselves well for the franchise’s next chapter. Adding young pieces such as Ware and Jovic gives them more long-term security. Both players have already shown they can be positive contributors for the Miami Heat, and for a Clippers team that needs to get younger, they would provide valuable upside in the frontcourt.
The deal also gives the Clippers Porter Jr., which is especially important given that Los Angeles does not control much of its own draft capital in the foreseeable future. Because the Clippers cannot afford to bottom out fully, Porter Jr. helps them remain competitive while still getting younger. His scoring, size, and shooting alongside Darius Garland could give the Clippers a promising offensive duo to build around in the short term.
Arguably the most valuable piece for the Clippers in this trade, however, is the 13th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Los Angeles already owns the fifth overall pick, so adding another lottery selection would be extremely valuable. With that pick, the Clippers could target someone like Brayden Burries, who has reportedly impressed during his workout with the team. Taking Burries at No. 5 may feel like a reach, but this trade would allow the Clippers to bring him in at a range closer to where he is projected to go.
The Nets’ perspective
For the Nets, the value of this trade lies in the fact that Porter Jr is in the last year of his contract and will become a free agent next year. Porter Jr is in the prime of his career, and after a season in Brooklyn, may decide he wants to go somewhere where he can compete.
Brooklyn is in the middle of a rebuild and does not look like a team that will be able to win many games in the foreseeable future. Therefore, trading Porter Jr allows the Nets to gain some value for him before he may decide to leave in free agency.
For a team in a rebuild, a first-round pick is extremely valuable, especially when considering the new draft lottery system. In addition, Brooklyn received Andrew Wiggins, who has an expiring contract, giving the Nets some more financial flexibility.
The Heat’s perspective
Miami’s appeal in this trade is obvious. The Heat have spent the last few years searching for another star-level player who can raise their ceiling, and Kawhi Leonard fits that profile. Even at this stage of his career, Leonard is coming off a statistically impressive season and remains one of the league’s most efficient two-way wings when healthy. The most encouraging part for Miami would be that he remained available when it mattered most in the postseason, which has been one of the biggest concerns surrounding him in recent years.
Pairing Leonard with Bam Adebayo would give the Heat a defensive foundation capable of matching up with almost anyone in the league. In contrast, his offensive production alongside Tyler Herro would give Miami the half-court shot creation it has often lacked. For a team that has consistently tried to stay close to contention, adding Leonard could be the type of move that pushes the Heat back into the Eastern Conference title picture.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
