LA Clippers
1 Franchise-changing trade scenario: Trading Kawhi Leonard to pivot toward a rebuild
The LA Clippers have a strong last quarter of the NBA season in large part because Kawhi Leonard was finally healthy. Moving forward, the Clippers must figure out whether they can realistically bank on Kawhi continuing to be healthy, or whether this is the perfect opportunity to cash out with his trade value at a high. It's a conversation that the front office should be having, or should be preparing for this summer.
Kawhi is a great player when he's healthy. Of course, his problem is that he hasn't been healthy all that much over the last few seasons in LA. If there were a way the Clippers could guarantee Kawhi being healthy all next season, this wouldn't even be a conversation. However, given the current circumstances, the Clippers may have to make the tough decision to trade Kawhi this offseason.
Los Angeles Lakers
1 Franchise-changing trade scenario: Trading Luka Doncic, if he doesn't sign an extension
Whether they're willing to admit it or not, the Los Angeles Lakers are heading into a pretty big offseason for themselves. Not only do they have to await LeBron James' decision on what he wants to do at this point in his career, but they'll also be trying to sign Luka Doncic to a long-term contract extension. The hope is that it will get done at some point during the offseason, but if it doesn't, it could make this summer even more complicated for Los Angeles.
If Luka does deny an extension with the Lakers, it could open the door to a potential trade. The Lakers wouldn't be in a position where they could roll the dice on the possibility of losing him for nothing during the offseason and would have to seriously explore trading him before the season begins. It may not be a popular move, but the Lakers can't afford to lose him in free agency. The hope is that things don't come to that, but there is a possibility that it will this summer.