What happened: The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly mapping out how their roster would be reshaped if they part with Kawhi Leonard this offseason. The discussion frames a contingency plan around the franchise's direction heading into the 2026-27 season.
Why it matters: Leonard remains the Clippers' centerpiece, so any framework for life without him signals a potential pivot in the team's win-now timeline. The conversation lands amid reported trade talks between the Clippers and Raptors centered on Leonard, raising the stakes on how L.A. would retool its core.
What to watch: Watch whether the Clippers' front office advances any Leonard framework toward a deal or holds him into training camp. The next signals will be the shape of any incoming package and how it fits the 2026-27 rotation.