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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors are staring down one of the more consequential offseasons in franchise history. A 37-45 finish, no playoff appearance, and a roster that never found its footing has made it clear that significant changes are necessary. Stephen Curry is 38 years old. The window is not closing yet, but it is narrowing.

Golden State has been connected to several high-profile names as the offseason approaches. Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the wishlist for most teams looking to make a leap, though the Warriors lack the young talent to compete in what figures to be a crowded bidding war. LeBron James has also been floated as a possibility.

There is another option worth examining closely.

The Warriors Trade That Would Pair Curry With Kawhi Leonard

GettyKawhi Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points in 65 games this season.

The proposal comes from Joey Akeley of Sports Illustrated and is straightforward on the surface. The Warriors send Jimmy Butler and two first-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. Golden State would select the 2026 pick on the Clippers’ behalf, with a 2027 first-round pick also included in the package.

The case for Golden State making this move starts with Leonard’s 2025-26 season. He averaged 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting and appeared in 65 games. For a player whose career has been defined as much by his absence as his brilliance, 65 games is a meaningful number. It suggests the 34-year-old has found a way to manage his body after playing just 37 games the season prior.

Pairing Leonard with Curry would give Golden State a legitimate two-man foundation for a title push. Leonard’s ability to create his own shot, defend at an elite level, and perform in high-stakes moments is exactly what this roster has been missing alongside Curry.

Why Butler’s Injury Uncertainty Makes This Possible

GettyJimmy Butler of the Golden State Warriors.

The uncomfortable reality is that Butler’s recovery timeline makes this conversation easier to have. He is out for at least the first half of next season, and the uncertainty around what he looks like on the other side of that absence is a real factor in any offseason planning the Warriors do.

Trading Butler removes that cloud entirely. It is not a reflection of what he is capable of when healthy. It is a practical acknowledgment that the Warriors cannot afford to build around a question mark when Curry’s window demands answers.

Draymond Green opting into his player option adds another layer of complexity. Getting him involved in a deal heading to Los Angeles does not make sense for the Clippers, which is why the cleanest version of this trade runs through Butler alone.

Why the Clippers Would Consider It

Los Angeles is in the middle of its own transition. The Clippers are waiting to find out whether they receive a 2026 first-round pick from Indiana, contingent on where the Pacers‘ pick lands in the lottery. If that pick does not come through, the incentive to move Leonard and accelerate a rebuild grows considerably.

What the Warriors are offering is concrete. The 2026 pick projects around the 11th selection. The 2027 first could carry significant value if Golden State’s injury issues persist. And Butler, at 37 next season, could still be a useful piece for a contender at the trade deadline, even if his value as a long-term asset is limited.

Final Word for the Warriors

This is a trade idea, not a done deal. But the logic holds up on both sides, and that alone makes it worth watching.

Curry deserves another shot at competing for a title. Leonard, when healthy, is one of the few players in the league who genuinely changes that equation.

The Warriors know the clock is ticking. A move like this would make clear they know it too.