The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to put the disappointing 2024-25 season behind them.
The team was poised to do great things after a busy offseason, but injuries to key stars, including Paul George and Joel Embiid, derailed their hopes of contending at the top of the Eastern Conference.
With that in mind, Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes suggests the 76ers can pull off a blockbuster trade to acquire Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.
76ers receive: Kawhi Leonard
Clippers: Jared McCain, No.3 Overall Pick, Paul George
"Because Philadelphia's fate is tethered to Embiid's knees, it might as well dive in on a high-risk, high-reward approach. Enter Kawhi Leonard, another All-NBA-caliber superstar whose health will remain a question mark for the rest of his career," Hughes wrote.
"Could the Sixers land Leonard for McCain, No. 3, and Paul George? Might they build a similar deal around Tyrese Maxey, or would the full-circle nature of Leonard joining up with George again be too much to handle?"
"Who can say? But if Philadelphia isn't going to move off Embiid in a start-over plan, it might as well double down on talented-but-unreliable veterans."
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
For the 76ers, acquiring Leonard, a two-time champion and former Defensive Player of the Year, would instantly put them back into title contention. He has a complicated, lengthy list of injuries that have plagued his career. However, when healthy, he remains one of the best two-way players in the league.
Last season, he averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while helping lead the Los Angeles Clippers to the postseason alongside another former Philadelphia 76er, James Harden.
Leonard, who has played for 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, with whom he won a championship in Toronto in 2019, would give the 76ers the co-star that Embiid and Maxey desperately need, having championship experience.
Meanwhile, the Clippers have a chance to hit the reset button by acquiring a high lottery pick and a young player, Jared McCain, as part of their efforts to kick off a rebuild.
More NBA: Nets predicted to land 2-time All-Star in Grizzlies blockbuster