If you can't beat them, join them? Reports suggest the Warriors may restart negotiations with the Clippers this summer: discussing a trade for Leonard.

On April 16 Beijing time, ESPN reporter Shelburne reported, multiple sources confirmed: shortly after the Harden trade was finalized in February, the Warriors contacted the Clippers to inquire about Leonard. Although the talks ended without result at that time, sources revealed that both sides are likely to restart discussions this offseason. Previous reports also indicated the Warriors will pursue one of Kawhi, Giannis, or LeBron this summer.

Leonard couldn't lead the Clippers to defeat the Warriors in this play-in game, but he could very possibly join the Warriors this summer. If this is Leonard's last season wearing a Clippers jersey, he still delivered a career-best individual performance: averaging a career-high 27.9 points per game, with his field goal percentage, two-point percentage, and three-point percentage all ranking among the top ten in the league.

When Leonard was on the court, the Clippers netted a plus 7.8 points per 100 possessions; when he rested, the team netted a minus 6.9 points per 100 possessions. More importantly, this season he played 66 games, setting his second-highest attendance record since the 2016-17 season.

However, in this play-in game, Warriors forward Green completely locked down Leonard. ESPN statistics show that Green defended Leonard 51 times in half-court sets, setting the season record for single-game individual defensive matchups. Under Green's tight defense, Leonard scored only 9 points on 8 attempts. Leonard admitted after the game: "Draymond Green, a Hall of Fame-level defender. Under his restriction, even getting a shot off was extremely difficult."

After the game, when asked if he would like to continue playing for the Clippers, Leonard said: "Let me grieve this loss a bit more first. At the right time, we will naturally sit down and communicate." Leonard will officially gain eligibility for an early contract extension the day after the Finals conclude, able to sign a maximum two-year extension.

According to ESPN salary expert Marks, the maximum two-year contract the Clippers can offer him totals $126.1 million.