The Golden State Warriors are gearing up for a blockbuster summer, and rumors are swirling that Kawhi Leonard could be their top target. With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still leading the charge, the front office is determined to build a championship-caliber roster around them. That means Mike Dunleavy Jr. will be keeping a close eye on any superstar who might become available—and Kawhi Leonard is no exception.

According to Kevin O'Connor of Yahoo Sports, the timing couldn't be better for the Warriors to test the waters. The Los Angeles Clippers have been shifting toward a younger, faster, and more athletic roster. After landing the fifth pick in the upcoming draft, they might be more open to shaking things up. O'Connor noted that the Warriors made a run at Leonard before the trade deadline, but the Clippers weren't interested. Now, with a lottery pick in hand, the Clippers might finally be willing to listen.

"Could the fifth pick mean a Kawhi Leonard trade is on the table?" O'Connor wrote. "League sources expect the Warriors to be aggressive in pursuing a star via trade this summer. With a chance to take a young guy in the lottery, maybe now the Clippers would be willing to listen. The front office should. This team is no longer a contender. The window shut. It's time to move on to the new era."

Leonard is entering the final year of his contract, earning $50.3 million. To make the money work, Golden State would likely need to part with Jimmy Butler—a tough decision, especially with Butler's injury status uncertain. But a healthy, motivated Kawhi could elevate the Warriors to another level, offering a dynamic scoring and defensive presence that's hard to match.

Still, Dunleavy might hesitate given Leonard's history of limited availability. If that's a dealbreaker, the talks might never get off the ground. But if the Warriors are looking to make a big swing, there aren't many bigger names than Kawhi Leonard. Expect Golden State to at least check the temperature on a potential trade this summer.