The Bucks plan to pursue Kawhi Leonard this summer! Giannis is eager to play alongside him; Rivers has coached him before.

On February 25th Beijing time, sources from Ahn Fire Digital revealed that the Milwaukee Bucks are planning to pursue a trade this offseason to bring in Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard.

Leonard will celebrate his 35th birthday this June. This top-tier two-way forward will be in the last year of his contract next season, with a salary of $50.3 million.

According to sources, after the Clippers traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers at this season’s trade deadline, they are no longer seen as championship contenders. The NBA community widely expects Leonard and the Clippers’ front office to work together on a trade during the offseason.

The Bucks are under immense pressure to find a premier teammate for two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Leonard is one of the league’s top stars, and if he joins, the Bucks would instantly become genuine title contenders.

Sources reveal that Bucks head coach Doug Rivers previously coached Leonard in Los Angeles; meanwhile, Giannis has clearly expressed to those around him his strong desire to play alongside Leonard.

The Bucks will closely monitor developments in the Aspiration scandal involving Leonard’s salary cap violations. If the NBA determines the Clippers illegally circumvented the salary cap for Leonard, his contract could be voided, making him an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any team.

Sources indicate this would completely end the Bucks’ chance to pair Leonard with Giannis—Within the league, it is widely believed that if the contract is nullified, Leonard would prefer to remain in the Western Conference.

Leonard’s career achievements are impressive: two NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, two Defensive Player of the Year honors, named one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players in 2021, and seven All-Star selections. Over his career (with the Spurs, Raptors, and Clippers), he averages 20.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game.

Sources also say that if the Bucks fail to complete a major trade this offseason, Giannis and the team may part ways.Since winning the title against the Suns in 2021, the Bucks have only won one playoff series. Giannis was nearly traded before this season’s trade deadline, but the Bucks never received an acceptable offer.