Kawhi Leonard trade talks update: The Clippers have rejected all offers so far, and only two scenarios would lead to his departure.

On June 29, Beijing time, Clippers reporter Tomer Azarly reported the latest developments in the Kawhi Leonard trade negotiations. Though the near-term future of Leonard and the Clippers is unclear, the team has rejected all proposals for Leonard and made it clear they intend to retain him.

As early as the February trade deadline, there was a steady stream of inquiries about trading for Leonard. At that time, the Warriors, Timberwolves, and Pistons all made last-minute attempts to acquire the two-time Finals MVP from the Clippers. Team owner Steve Ballmer and the front office were resolute in their stance, showing no desire to part with Leonard, and that mindset carried over into this offseason.

The Clippers have never proactively contacted any team to discuss a trade involving Leonard; they are only open to listening to summer trade offers from other teams for the seven-time All-Star.

Recently, the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks reached out to the Clippers to inquire about Leonard's availability, which prompted the Clippers to carefully assess his current trade value—Leonard will turn 35 tomorrow.

Sources indicate that the Clippers simply listened to all the offers, but none of the packages swayed the front office. The Clippers have always viewed Leonard as the face of the franchise, and only two scenarios would make them seriously consider trading him.

The only two conditions under which the Clippers would seriously consider letting Leonard go this summer: first, if Leonard requests a trade—which media has not reported so far; second, if Ballmer and basketball operations president Lawrence Frank receive an overwhelmingly attractive offer featuring multiple first-round picks and promising young talents. However, the packages from teams like the Raptors have been described as "lacking sincerity" and "severely unbalanced."

Sources say the Raptors' offer centered around former All-Star forward Brandon Ingram failed to impress the Clippers at all.. Before Ingram was traded to the Raptors in 2025, the Pelicans had offered him to the Clippers, who showed no interest at that time.

Colin Murray-Boyles is the key young asset the Clippers would definitely demand in a Leonard trade, but the Raptors have not included him in any of their proposals.Regarding the package centered on Ingram, the Clippers are not only uninterested but have also not proactively pushed negotiations or made counteroffers.

The Raptors hope to reunite with the 2019 Finals MVP Leonard, but their pursuit has not moved the Clippers; if the Raptors add Murray-Boyles and more first-round picks to their offer, the Clippers' stance might shift.

The Mavericks could theoretically assemble a more enticing package, but they have not yet presented a standout offer. The Athletic previously reported that Dallas's proposal involves P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson, and several draft picks for Leonard.

Since Ballmer officially acquired the Clippers in 2014, the front office has never chosen to completely rebuild or lower their competitiveness. Whether in trades or free agency, Ballmer and Frank have always operated aggressively, with the goal of maintaining championship-level strength and never actively weakening the roster. This is the Clippers' core bottom line in any Leonard-related trade.

Sources say,If the Mavericks want to get a deal done, their package will likely have to include 22-year-old center Dereck Lively II., a healthy Lively is a highly coveted interior player for the Clippers. Lively has only one year left on his rookie contract, has undergone multiple right foot surgeries, and played just seven games in the 2025-26 season.

As of now, the Clippers have never actively shopped Leonard; they have only left the door open to listen to offers while continuously communicating with Leonard and his camp to plan the team's future. This offseason, Leonard and his representatives have not signaled any dissatisfaction with the Clippers.

Undoubtedly, Leonard's core desire has always been to compete for a championship, and the Clippers have been actively adjusting the roster around him. The Clippers previously traded James Harden to free up salary cap space and to acquire the younger, more dynamic backcourt partner Darius Garland.

Sources reveal that the Clippers were forced to trade Harden at the February deadline, and also unexpectedly dealt Ivica Zubac. At that time, the team was on a league-best 17-4 run over that stretch, and Leonard expressed discontent about it, but he made it clear to the front office that he would wait until the offseason to evaluate his future and did not want to be traded midseason.

Leonard, who will soon turn 35, has only one goal: to chase a championship. Seasons without a title are failures in his eyes. Consequently, rumors of his potential departure have circulated within the league: since reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2021, the Clippers have advanced past the first round of the playoffs only once in the following five years.

Over the past five seasons, the Clippers have been eliminated in the first round three times and missed the playoffs twice, including the recently concluded season where they lost to the Warriors in the play-in tournament.

Leonard's three-year contract has entered its final year, with a salary of $50.3 million for the 2026-27 season.This offseason, he is eligible for an extension. A two-year, $126 million contract could keep him with the Clippers through the 2028-29 season. Both the Clippers and Leonard are interested in finalizing this extension.

If Leonard's mindset changes and he refuses a long-term extension, then the Clippers will seriously evaluate the possibility of trading him.

After choosing to join the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has been very comfortable playing for his hometown team. Over the past several seasons, the Clippers have always considered him their primary franchise cornerstone.

Although the two sides still have differences regarding the extension salary figures, the Clippers' front office aims to reach a mutually acceptable deal, retain Leonard, and build a championship-caliber lineup around him, Garland, and Wagué.

Regarding the various rumors about Leonard, the key point is that the Clippers are not actively shopping him; they are only willing to listen to offers from other teams. Currently, no negotiations have reached a stage that would make the Clippers seriously consider a deal.