dailyloe.com – The Golden State Warriors aggressively pursued veteran superstars before the NBA’s February trade deadline. They reportedly came close to acquiring Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers ultimately decided to pull out of the advanced talks.
This information comes from San Francisco Standard reporter Tim Kawakami. He cited multiple league sources in a story published Thursday. The deal terms were generally agreed upon before falling through.
The Warriors also showed strong interest in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. Their strategy focused on building a glamorous starting lineup. This lineup would feature Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler.
Kawhi Leonard remains a potential target for Golden State this offseason. The Warriors could pursue a trade or sign him in free agency. This depends on his contract status with the Clippers.
Leonard is having a standout individual season at age 34. He is averaging a career-high 28.1 points per game. He also contributes 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists for the Clippers.
His future is partly tied to an NBA investigation. The league is examining possible salary-cap circumvention by the Clippers. This could potentially void his contract, making him a free agent.
League sources indicate the Warriors will continue chasing big names. Their goal is to construct a championship-caliber roster around Curry. The pursuit of elite talent like Leonard is expected to persist.[]
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area & California
