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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts to a play during the first quarter of the NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome on April 07, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

The idea of Kawhi Leonard leaving the Los Angeles Clippers for the rising Detroit Pistons team is quickly becoming a talked-about possibility that’s appearing more like reality as time goes on. For a significant impact to one of the league’s top contenders, the move as revealed in the NBA Mock Draft has sparked an increase in buzz just as the NBA playoffs have ramped up their intensity heading into the Game 6 stage tonight.

Discussions around a Leonard trade have become even more complex with a new mock trade proposal placing a trade swap in the center of three teams who stand to lose – and gain – a lot from cutting ties with their current players as they prepare to sign contracts with new additions to their rosters. Reported by Fadeaway World, the emerging mock trade storyline would see movement occur between the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies with Leonard as the centerpiece for the three-team deal. Here’s what that mock trade could bring in terms of real world consequences to these three teams and the players who could be set to find new homes upon the upcoming NBA Draft.

A Triple Team Trade Between the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers Focused on Kawhi Leonard Has Been Proposed in New NBA Mock Draft

GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Intuit Dome on April 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The three teams involved in trade proposal housed within the latest NBA Mock Draft speculation are the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies in a trade dynamic that would see the following potential movement of players:

Detroit Pistons

• The Pistons would receive Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers

Memphis Grizzlies

• The Grizzlies would receive Paul Reed from the Detroit Pistons

Los Angeles Clippers

• The LA Clippers would trade Kawhi Leonard to the Detroit Pistons
• There are a number of players and opportune draft picks that the Los Angeles Clippers could receive this potential trade deal, including: Duncan Robinson, Ron Holland, Caris LeVert, a first-round pick (Detroit) in the 2027 NBA Draft, a first-round pick (Detroit) in the 2029 NBA Draft, or a 2031 second-round pick (Memphis) from

The effects of the potential deal wouldn’t be exclusive to the three teams identified to receive beneficial trade outcomes. This is because of the individual contributions of each of the players proposed to be shifted around the league, with a special focus on the accomplishments of Kawhi Leonard and Paul Reed who have proven themselves as standouts within the NBA.

The Proposed Triple-Team Trade Could Threaten the Current Eastern Conference Dominance of the Boston Celtics

GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – APRIL 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

According to Fadeaway World, the proposed triple-team trade issued by a new NBA Mock Draft would have impacts not just on the three teams involved, but on the league as a whole. Even teams that aren’t involved in the trade proposal would succumb to significant likely impacts that could be to a franchise’s benefit or to their detriment.

For the Boston Celtics, the proposed trades on the table would jeopardize the team’s current dominance in the Eastern Conference. In fact, the developments which could surmount if a potential trade deal is struck between Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, and the LA Clippers would likely matter more than fans in Boston may realize. Since the Eastern Conference already runs through the reigning contenders, there could be a false illusion of little change draped over such a trade scenario. However, a Leonard-Cunningham duo in Detroit could significantly reshape the balance of power next season. Boston’s championship aspirations depend on maintaining their current superiority in a conference that could suddenly find itself packed with emerging challengers should the aforementioned trade deal become reality.

Amanda Vining Amanda Vining is a career journalist with over 20 years of experience covering news for digital publications. More about Amanda Vining