Clippers owner Steve Ballmer not eager to trade Kawhi Leonard

The Clippers may be facing pressure to reshape their roster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Kawhi Leonard is headed elsewhere.

According to Hunter Patterson and Sam Amick of The Athletic, there is skepticism around the league that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is willing to part with the veteran forward despite growing speculation about Leonard’s future.

“One rival executive from another team that has an interest in Leonard shared with The Athletic” that there is doubt Ballmer would actually approve a trade, Patterson and Amick wrote.

Leonard is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn $50.3 million next season.

The Clippers have been the subject of significant offseason discussion after moving on from several key veterans before the trade deadline.

While many around the league believe Los Angeles should consider a larger rebuild, Ballmer has consistently supported Leonard throughout his tenure with the franchise.

The Athletic reported that the Warriors came close to acquiring Leonard before the trade deadline, only for the deal to fall apart.

Even so, trade speculation is unlikely to disappear.

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists this season while appearing in 65 games, his highest total in several years.

With the Warriors and Heat among the teams expected to be linked to Leonard in rumors this summer, the biggest question may not be whether there’s interest around the league.

It may be whether Ballmer is willing to listen.