For the Warriors, at this point with Steph Curry, it’s really about trying to compete and creating any opportunity to make a run in the playoffs. Trading for Kawhi would give them arguably the best deal, despite the age and injury concerns.

In this scenario, Kristaps Porzingis extends in the offseason on a new two-year, $42 million deal with a lower AAV. Draymond Green declines his player option and takes a pay cut, signing a new two-year, $30 million deal (around $15 million per year) to help make room for his daddy LeBron to be signed using the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is roughly $15–16 million—assuming LeBron is willing to take that, even though he may prefer to stay in Los Angeles (who dont need him ).

This would create an older roster consisting of Steph , Podziemski as the star of the team, Kawhi at the three, LeBron at the four, and Porzingis at the five. The bench would include Draymond Green, role players (including djj and dunn for defense from this trade) , and some young guys like Will Richard.

This setup would likely be a one-year window for players like LeBron and Draymond unless they perform at a high level and earn another extension. For Steph and Kawhi, it’s more of a two-year window before the team reassesses based on health and potential regression. Talent-wise, though, this would probably be the best roster in the league.

From the Clippers’ perspective, assuming the 2026 Pacers pick conveys, they could end up with picks around 5 or 6 and 11 or 12 (from the Warriors), along with a current group including Garland, Benedict Mathurin, Yannick Niedernhauser, and players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody recovering.

In this scenario, I would draft Keaton Wagler with the 5th or 6th pick and Jaden Quaintance with the 11th pick. This would also give the Clippers significant future draft capital to continue building a young core and remain competitive, even though they don’t fully control their own first-round picks until 2030 (only having swap rights in alternating years).

They would, however, own at least one post-Stephen Curry Warriors pick, which could be extremely valuable. That’s ultimately the price the Warriors would have to pay to contend seriously, unless they move up in the lottery before the trade.

The Clippers’ lineup would then consist of Garland, Wagler, Mathurin, and John Collins (if he re-signs at a reduced rate, around $10–15 million per year), with Quaintance at the five (assuming good health) and Niedernhauser backing him up.

I think this approach is better for the Clippers than staying in mediocrity, which is where teams like the Suns may be headed over the next few years. Both teams are in somewhat similar situations, lacking control of their own picks and not having many young players to develop—although the Suns at least have a few prospects like Maluach and Fleming.

I also believe Kawhi, beyond just his contract, is more tradable and more valuable to winning than booker. When healthy, he’s still a top-8 player in the league and is currently performing at an elite level. Assuming there are no concerns with the recent allegations, everything should be fine.

Overall, this move would give the Warriors a real chance to contend for another two years before Steph potentially retires.