To say that the Los Angeles Clippers are going big-game hunting this offseason would be an understatement.
Already linked to Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant, the Clippers are now reportedly interested in teaming Leonard up with fellow free agent Jimmy Butler.
This flies in the face of previous reports suggesting that Los Angeles was not interested in Butler.
It would be a package deal, meaning that Butler wouldn’t be of interest to the Clippers without Leonard.
A report earlier on Saturday indicated that the Raptors are losing hope that they’ll be able to re-sign Leonard once free agency opens Sunday evening.
If that’s the case, the two Los Angeles teams represent Leonard’s next destination. As it relates to the Lakers, they are apparently confident in their ability to land Leonard.
With $81.7 million in cap holds, the Clippers can create two max-slot openings by renouncing their eight impending free agents.
There’s also a possibility that Los Angeles could move veteran Danilo Gallinari and his $22.6 million expiring contract to a team with cap space.
He wouldn’t be needed with Leonard and Butler aboard. It’s in this that the Golden State Warriors could be of interest should Durant indicate he’s leaving, setting up a potential sign-and-trade with another team. That would give Golden State a trade exception of $35-plus million.